KAMPALA, March 12, 2025 – In the heart of Port Bell Market, 57-year-old Jane Nakitto carefully arranges colorful fabrics in her stall. But unlike two months ago, she now pauses to record sales on her phone, using a simple inventory app before accepting payment via mobile money.
“Before, I would lose track of what sold best. Now my phone tells me,” she says with a smile, holding up her smartphone. “My children were surprised when I showed them I could do this.”
Jane is one of 851 market vendors who graduated on Wednesday morning from a digital skills program that is quietly transforming Uganda’s traditional marketplaces into hubs of digital innovation. The program, a collaboration between Uganda’s Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, the National ICT Innovation Hub, MTN Uganda Foundation, and Huawei Uganda, is equipping vendors with the technological skills to modernize their businesses.
A Digital Transformation in the Markets
The training sessions were held in Kamwokya Community Centre, Kamwokya Market, Kamwokya Mosque, Kitintale Market, Port Bell Market, and Usafi Market. Of the 851 graduates, 58 percent are male (493), while 42 percent are female (358), marking a significant step toward bridging Uganda’s digital gender divide.
Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, emphasized the program’s role in Uganda’s digital vision.
“This digital skilling initiative represents the practical implementation of our Digital Transformation Roadmap. When we see market vendors using digital tools to increase their incomes, we’re witnessing digital transformation that matters to ordinary Ugandans. This initiative aligns directly with the government’s commitment to ICT as a driver of national development.”
At Kamwokya Market, 42-year-old Robert Okello, a produce vendor of over two decades, now manages supplier relationships through WhatsApp and tracks earnings using a basic spreadsheet.
“I was afraid of these things,” he admits, pointing to his phone. “At my age, you think technology is for the young. But now I send price requests to five suppliers at once instead of calling each one. I save time and find better prices.”
A Hands-On Approach to Digital Learning
What sets this program apart is its accessibility. Instead of requiring vendors to travel to distant training centers, MTN and Huawei’s digital buses—mobile classrooms equipped with computers, internet connectivity, and interactive screens—arrive directly at the markets.
Mable Kayima, a technical facilitator, recalls the initial skepticism.
“The first time the yellow bus arrived at Usafi Market, people were hesitant. By the second week, we had vendors lining up before we even opened the doors.”
Inside these buses, vendors learn basic smartphone functions, digital financial services, and online marketing, all tailored to their specific business needs. Sandra Abwin, one of the trainers, highlights the program’s immediate impact.
“We’re seeing incomes increase by an average of 15 percent within weeks of completing the training. When vendors can track inventory, reduce waste, and connect directly with customers, the impact is immediate.”
For 26-year-old single mother Esther Namuganza, who sells handcrafted baskets, the training has expanded her business reach.
“Now I take photos of my best designs and share them in WhatsApp groups with tourists and expatriates,” she says, scrolling through her digital catalog. “Last month, I received an order from a customer who saw my products online. They ordered 50 baskets for a hotel in Entebbe.”
Breaking Barriers for Women Vendors
With 42 percent female participation, the initiative is also empowering women like Fatima Nakabuye, a spice vendor in Kitintale Market.
“Men always had more business connections. Now my phone is my connection,” she says. “I joined a group of women vendors across different markets. We share supplier information and support each other.”
By offering training in local languages, using culturally relevant examples, and providing follow-up support, the program ensures digital adoption goes beyond the classroom.
Expanding Uganda’s Digital Future
Following its successful first phase in Kampala, the digital buses will now expand training to Greater Kampala, Eastern, Western, Northern, and Central Uganda.
The program is already showing remarkable results: About 78 percent of graduates implement at least one digital tool in their business within two weeks of training and digital payment transactions among participants have increased by 23 percent since completing the program.
Steven Kirenga, General Manager of Product Development at Centenary Technology Services, one of the implementing partners, sees this as a game-changer for digital inclusion.
“We designed this initiative not just to transfer skills but to transform mindsets. When a market vendor realizes they can use the same technology as a corporate executive to solve their business challenges, that’s when digital inclusion becomes meaningful.”
A Lasting Impact on Communities
Beyond the markets, the program is creating a ripple effect. Graduate James Muwonge has started offering weekend training sessions for fellow vendors and community members.
“My neighbors see how I use my phone for business and want to learn,” he says. “Last Sunday, I taught eight people, including a 52-year-old woman who wanted to talk to her grandchildren overseas.”
Back at her fabric stall, Jane Nakitto reflects on the transformation.
“Technology was always something that happened elsewhere, in big companies or with young people,” she says. “Now it happens here, among us, in the market. And we are the ones making it happen.”
As the MTN digital buses continue their journey across Uganda, Kampala’s market vendors are proving that digital transformation is not just for tech startups and corporate offices—it’s for everyone.
