Dr. Amina Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, addressed local leaders at a cadetship training session in the Acholi subregion on Thursday. The event, which began last Thursday and concludes today, Friday, has gathered 430 leaders, including Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Assistant Resident District Commissioners, LC5 Councilors, LC3 Chairpersons, women and youth leaders, and opposition figures.
During her address, Dr. Zawedde emphasized the critical role of digital transformation in socio-economic development. She urged the leaders to set an example by implementing the Parish Development Model (PDM) one-acre initiative in their homesteads, highlighting its potential to boost agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods.
Digital transformation refers to the comprehensive adoption and integration of digital technologies into all areas of a business or organization, fundamentally changing how it operates and delivers value to its customers. This process involves rethinking and redesigning business models, processes, and strategies to fully leverage digital advancements.
Dr. Zawedde outlined the core components of the Digital Transformation Roadmap, stressing the need for communities to embrace digital skills and innovation. She encouraged the leaders to mobilize the youth in their areas to take up digital skilling and explore opportunities in burgeoning fields such as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and other tech-driven employment sectors.
Moreover, she highlighted the importance of using social media responsibly to promote the nation’s positive image. Dr. Zawedde advised the leaders to guide young people in posting positive narratives and images about the country, which can attract investment and enhance the national image.
The training also provided a platform for discussing the challenges faced in implementing the PDM, particularly regarding the Parish Development Management Information System (PDMIS). Issues such as limited access to digital devices and connectivity problems were prominent topics of discussion, with Dr. Zawedde reassuring the leaders of the ministry’s commitment to addressing these hurdles.
The cadetship training, organized by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, has been instrumental in equipping local leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary for driving digital transformation and fostering socio-economic progress in the Acholi subregion.