Ministry Engages ISCC to Expand Digital Skills in Schools

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, Dr Aminah Zawedde, today held an engagement with the Inter-Schools Coding Competition (ISCC) team at the National Innovation Hub, alongside Mr Alan Kasujja, Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre. The discussion focused on expanding practical digital skills and linking them to real opportunities for young people. ISCC’s approach is built on competition and application. Students learn by building solutions, testing ideas, and competing. That shift from theory to practice is what is driving uptake across schools. More than 4,000 students from 120 schools have already been trained in Python programming, with plans to expand the programme nationwide. “Digital transformation begins with equipping young people with skills such as coding, analysis, and problem-solving. These are now as essential as learning English and Mathematics,” Dr. Zawedde said. She added that the focus must move beyond training. “We must keep creating opportunities that connect skills to innovation, jobs, and real-world impact for our young people.” Mr. Kasujja noted that the initiative is already reaching students in villages and remote schools, with some of the strongest performance coming from regions such as Kigezi. He said the Uganda Media Centre will support efforts that highlight such talent and expand awareness of available opportunities. “This is about giving visibility to talent across the country,” he said. The programme’s first national competition, held on December 12, 2025, at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, marked a strong start, with Standard High School Zzana emerging as champions. Organisers say the next edition will build on that momentum. “We are excited that the competition is happening again this year and look forward to welcoming the Permanent Secretary as the Chief Guest,” said ISCC representative Isaac Prince Sekatawa. Beyond the numbers, the impact is beginning to show at an individual level. Former Pine International School student Daniel Mich Ogwal described the competition as a turning point. Competing against top teams, including those from Kigezi, his team advanced to the national stage and finished third. He noted that the experience pushed participants to build real solutions, from digital election systems to sign-in platforms, and inspired others to pursue their own technology ideas. Dr. Zawedde closed by stressing that building a generation of coders requires a clear pathway beyond the classroom, including competitions, exposure, and opportunities that translate skills into tangible outcomes. The engagement reinforces a broader shift. Digital skills are being treated as a foundation for innovation, employment, and national development, with ISCC emerging as a practical platform for delivering that change.