President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned Ugandans against using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to promote importation.

The President said Ugandans should use the ICT to promote buying of goods and services within Uganda or promote selling to outsiders but not vice versa.

“I can now use my followers on social media to advertise and then I’m paid but now the question is, whose products are you advertising? Are you advertising Uganda’s products or are you trying to convert Ugandans into importers?” the President question.

“This ICT of yours, what is it being used for? Is it being used to promote importation? If you are promoting importation, then you are sucking blood from us and taking it outside,” he said.

The President made the remarks Tuesday while officiating at the 2nd Annual National ICT Job Fair 2023 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

Running under the theme: “Navigating the Digital Horizon”, the two-day (17th-18th October, 2023) event organised by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance in partnership with Huawei Technologies Uganda, serves as a platform to connect employers in the ICT sector with talented job seekers.

The event brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including employers, job seekers, policymakers, and industry experts, thus fostering meaningful networking and collaboration opportunities.

President Museveni explained that ICT is a huge step for the human race but Africa, like all the other scientific innovations, must use it in the right context to build an economy that is independent, integrated, and self-sustaining.

The Minister of State for ICT, Hon. Joyce Ssebugwawo said the event is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and partners and it reflects the country’s collective commitment to address the issue of unemployment in Uganda, particularly in the dynamic field of Information and Communication Technology.

The Permanent Secretary- Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde revealed that the ICT services in the country continue to grow at an impressive growth rate of 14.8 per cent.

She said: “It is important to acknowledge that the ICT sector alone contributes 2 percent to the aggregate nominal GDP and that is at the Financial Year 2021-2022 and this continues to grow.”

The Managing Director of Huawei Uganda, Xie Qiuxiang commended the government of Uganda for creating a conducive environment that has enabled businesses including those in the ICT sector to flourish.

“Last year on the International Youth Day Huawei together with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance we held the first ICT Job Fair at Makerere University. Huawei offered 50 internship opportunities and a good number of them have become our full-time employees. This year we have continued to offer 50 internship opportunities to the youth,” he said.