The American Towers Cooperation (ATC) Uganda has launched a digital training and skilling community Centre in Fort Portal city.
The established digital hub located at Kabarole hill in bazaar Ward central division Fort portal is the first of its kind in the area.
According to the ATC, the community hub which intends to give free ICT training to the beneficiaries is equipped with 12 computers and a 24-hour running power source, free access to internet and a tutor to offer basic training in ICT.
Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda, the executive director ATC Uganda disclosed during the launch of the facility on Thursday, that the company is committed to complementing the government efforts to leveraging technology serving hubs for digital community programs. She said this will enable community’s to access diverse computer skills and knowledge in ICT.
Ssemanda further stressed that the establishment of the digital communities in the country not only intends to provide access to internet in communities but rather focuses more on heightening the public interest towards the usage of digital tools to enhance development through digital transformation.
Ronald Businge, the head of accounts at the American Tower cooperation said the facility since its establishment has seen at least 237 graduates with a certificate in various ICT programs sitting word, excel, web design among others.
Businge says though the facility is offering free internet and various services and training, the community has a duty to safeguard the equipment to avoid vandalism as has happened in other districts.
Miriam Karungi, a tutor at the Fort Portal digital community centre hub said the facility undertakes two sessions on daily basis with twelve persons in the morning and twelve in the afternoon. He says after one-month trainees are awarded certificates in various categories after satisfying the established standards of learning computer lessons.
Karungi however asked the ATC to establish a repairing and maintenance course which is hands on to help the unemployed youth acquire income generating skills for their livelihood.
Roberts Tusiime, one of the beneficiaries told URN that the facility has helped many learners both in secondary and primary to acquire ICT skills during the recently concluded long holiday.
American Tower cooperation will today open two more community internet access hubs at Mpondwe primary school and ihandiro vocational school in Kasese district making total of 32 across the country.
URN.