ST Foundation and UICT work together to empower Uganda’s visually impaired community
The Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) recently awarded certificates to 120 visually impaired learners who successfully completed our Introduction to Computer Basics for the Visually Impaired (ICBVI) program earlier this month.
This initiative, delivered by UICT, took place at the National Innovation Hub in Nakawa, one of the administrative districts of Kampala. It aims to foster inclusive digital transformation and ensure that no one is left behind in Uganda’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
The ICBVI program in Uganda builds on a pioneering pilot delivered through UICT from April to May, when 30 visually impaired students gathered in a small training room in Kampala for their first step into the digital world (read the full story here).
This program has a clear mission: to empower Uganda’s visually impaired community—estimated at 2.8 million people according to the 2023 Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness survey—with essential digital skills to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
The initial two-week training covered six core modules: keyboard navigation, word processing, file management, Microsoft Excel, internet browsing, and email usage. These fundamental skills, often taken for granted by sighted users, represented a gateway to independence and opportunity for the participants.
Sada Kane, ST Foundation representative for ICBVI, reflected on the program’s impact:
“Through the ICBVI program, we are proud to open doors for visually impaired learners to fully participate in the digital world. Our goal is to empower these individuals with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven society. This success is only possible through our strong collaboration with UICT, whose commitment and local expertise have been instrumental in delivering inclusive and sustainable training. We believe that digital inclusion is not just a goal but a responsibility, and this program is a vital step toward bridging the digital divide. 
We plan to certify 20 new inclusive digital trainers by mid-2026. Our vision is to create a nationwide network of professionals who can replicate this program and ensure that no one is left behind.”
The program is part of the ITU‘s Digital Transformation Centres Initiative (DTCI).
Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT)
Founded in 2000 by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the Government regulatory body of the communications sector, UICT is the only Government institution specializing in skills-based middle-level ICT training.
It offers practical-oriented ICT training at certificate and diploma levels as an alternative to universities and other tertiary institutions. UICT manages 95 training centres across the country, mostly through partnerships with other national and international institutions.
