Uganda joined the rest of the world in celebrating the International Girls in ICT Day with a vibrant event at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Kampala. This marked the culmination of a month-long series of regional engagements under the theme “Girls in ICT for an Inclusive Digital Transformation.” The celebration brought together students, educators, policymakers, development partners, and private sector leaders, committed to closing the digital gender gap and empowering girls through technology.
Officiated by Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the event was a call to action to position girls and young women as active participants in Uganda’s digital journey. Dr. Zawedde emphasized that International Girls in ICT Day is more than a date on the calendar; it is a reminder of the essential role girls must play in shaping the future of innovation.
Dr. Zawedde highlighted that for Uganda’s digital ambitions to be realized, the inclusion of girls is non-negotiable. Science and technology must be accessible to all, not just as consumers, but as creators and leaders. She underscored the importance of dismantling gender stereotypes that discourage girls from pursuing STEM and called on families and communities to foster inclusive mindsets.
In support, Hon. Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), referenced findings from a recent study indicating that only 14.8% of girls in Uganda can verify online information, compared to 22.2% of boys. He stressed that the digital gender divide is real but can be closed through intentional skilling and empowerment. Girls, he said, must be equipped not only with access but also with the confidence and critical thinking skills needed to lead in a digital world.
In preparation for the national event, regional engagements were conducted in Arua, Gulu, Mbale, Mbarara, and Kampala, involving secondary school girls in practical ICT learning and mentorship. Facilitated by the Greenbridge School of Technologies, these sessions focused on innovation, problem-solving, and real-world application of digital skills. Participants from schools such as Kitante Hill School, Trinity College Nabbingo, Nabisunsa Girls’ School, Kibuli Secondary School, Our Lady of Good Counsel, and Gayaza High School took part in competitions that challenged them to develop ICT-based solutions to community issues. Winners were recognized with plaques, while all participants received certificates and tokens of appreciation.
A key voice during the celebrations was Cynthia Namugenyi, a Senior Five student from Kitante Hill School, who expressed that empowering girls through ICT can significantly reduce online abuse. She emphasized the need to destroy the stereotype that science is male-dominated, and to bridge digital divides—not only between genders, but also across rural and urban areas, and between the privileged and underserved.
The event featured an all-women panel of tech pioneers who discussed the importance of digital inclusion, safe internet use, and inspiring the next generation of female innovators. They encouraged girls to remain vigilant online while using technology as a force for positive change.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Zawedde reaffirmed the government’s dedication to building an ecosystem where every girl can thrive in the digital space. She urged the young women in attendance to step into leadership roles and embrace their power to shape Uganda’s technological future.
“To our girls here today—the future is digital, and you belong in it. Go out there and claim your space,” she concluded.
Happy International Girls in ICT Day!
The author is a Communications Officer at the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance.
