Government sets up council to spur innovation, create jobs for youths

The Minister of State for ICT, Joyce Ssebugwawo, has said although the country’s economy has been significantly affected by Covid-19, it is the time to contribute to its rebuilding by creating opportunities for the youth.

She made the remarks recently while announcing the appointment of a Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) and Innovation Council.

The council will work with her ministry to formulate strategies for creating jobs for the youth through ICT outsourcing and Innovation and prescribe regulatory frameworks and projects relevant to the growth of the BPO and innovation industry.

The council will also identify, support and scale up breakthrough technologies and disruptive innovations.

Ssebugwawo said the government embarked on an initiative to develop innovation sectors as one of the long-term solution to addressing issues of unemployment amongst educated youths.

“This will be a challenging task for the council. I nonetheless have confidence that they will deliver this national calling,” she said.

According to the officials, Uganda has great strengths in attracting BPO jobs into the country because at least 30,000 youth that leave the university each year are fluent in English and are ICT literate.
 

The BPO and innovation council is going to be headed by Prof William Bazeyo, a former deputy vice chancellor at Makerere University.  Dr. Rebecca Isabella Kiconco will be his deputy. Chairperson.