By KT Reporter
Over 60 people in Oyam district have been trained on digital literacy, organized by the Women of Uganda Network. The training, held on Friday, September 7, 2025, was part of preparations for the operationalization of a newly launched rural broadband network in Oyam District.
The broadband network is expected to benefit women-led farmer groups, schools, health centers, and small businesses by improving internet access, which has long been a challenge in the area.
In May 2025, Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), in partnership with netLabs!UG and Internet Society Foundation launched a Project titled “Digital Inclusive in Northern Uganda, Oyam District; piloting a rural broadband connectivity model” in Oyam district.
Peter Ongom, the project officer at WOUGNET, said the first digital literacy training aimed to equip rural communities with foundational knowledge and skills to effectively use digital devices and adopt broadband infrastructure through a series of future capacity-building trainings.
The initiative was praised for being inclusive, with special attention given to women, youth, and community leaders, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.
Ronald Emar, a youth in Teduka Cell, Oyam Town Council, said that access to platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and other social media networks requires money to buy data, and he believed the broadband would allow young people to develop digital skills, share content, and explore monetization opportunities.
Evaline Akello, one of the participants in the digital literacy training, said that the internet was previously perceived as a space dominated by men. However, she noted that the training has empowered women with the confidence to engage online.
Meanwhile, Brenda Atoo, a resident of Upper Centre in Oyam Town Council, said the rural broadband initiative will become a key enabler of development, helping bridge the rural-urban digital divide and support inclusive digital transformation.
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