Digital skills training opens new opportunities for Soroti youth

SOROTI CITY, October 26, 2026 – More than 200 young people in Soroti City have benefited from digital skills training aimed at equipping them with practical knowledge in online entrepreneurship, financial literacy and internet safety to improve their livelihoods and employment prospects.

The training, organised through a partnership between MTN Foundation and Maelendo Foundation, seeks to empower young people to harness digital technologies to create income-generating opportunities, market their products and services, and participate more effectively in the digital economy.

Participants said the initiative had opened their eyes to new opportunities, particularly in using mobile phones and other digital platforms to promote businesses, access information and explore alternative sources of income.

Justine Ecakara, one of the beneficiaries, described the training as an eye-opener, saying it had equipped him with practical skills to navigate the digital world and improve his livelihood.

“This digital skills training has been an eye-opener for me. I now understand how I can use digital tools to market my work, look for opportunities online, and be safe while on the internet. I am grateful for this chance and I am ready to put what I have learned into practice and also teach others in my community,” Ecakara said.

He said he intended to apply the knowledge acquired during the training and share it with other young people in his community to enable them to benefit from digital opportunities.

Another participant, Agnes Acen, said the training had transformed her understanding of mobile phone technology, which she previously associated mainly with communication and entertainment.

“Before this training, I only used my phone for calls and social media. Now I know how digital skills can help me earn and grow,” Acen said.

She said the programme had introduced her to various digital tools that could help her identify business opportunities, generate income and improve her financial independence.

Isaac Kidawalime, a digital skills trainer with Maelendo Foundation, said the partnership was designed to equip young people with practical digital and financial management skills to enable them to become economically productive and self-reliant.

He said the training also introduced participants to digital savings platforms, including Yinvesta, which allows users to save as little as Shs 500.

According to Kidawalime, such platforms provide opportunities for young people, particularly those with limited access to conventional banking services, to develop a savings culture and manage their finances digitally.

He challenged participants to identify their talents and interests and transform them into viable income-generating ventures instead of spending excessive time on social media without acquiring productive skills.

“If you love cooking, can you turn that into a business? I know most young people waste their time on TikTok instead of developing their skills,” Kidawalime said.

He also emphasised the importance of financial discipline, urging young people to embrace budgeting and saving as essential tools for improving household welfare and sustaining businesses.

Kidawalime said poor financial planning remained a major challenge among young people, many of whom spend their earnings without setting aside money for essential household expenses and emergencies.

He advised participants to budget for basic needs, including food, water and electricity, while also planning for business expenses and future investments.

“Stop calling people that you have an emergency. You can do better than that by saving your money,” he said.

Julius Apegu, Chairperson of Kere Soroti City Traders Association [KESOCITA], urged young people to embrace digital skills development to enhance their competitiveness in the labour market and create sustainable business opportunities.

“The youth can improve their chances of employment, and those working already can enhance them so that they may attract many other opportunities,” Apegu said.

He said the association was keen to see more young people venture into business and contribute to the economic transformation of the Teso sub-region.

According to Apegu, the region has considerable economic resources that remain underutilised, partly because many people lack the necessary skills and technological tools to exploit available opportunities.

“One of the tools should be digital skills because this is the 21st century and we cannot move without them. We hope to get youths who are doing business and continue training,” he said.

Apegu said equipping young entrepreneurs with digital skills would enable them to expand their markets, improve business operations and compete more effectively in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

The training, which began on Monday last week, is expected to conclude on Thursday, with participants who successfully complete the courses receiving certificates.

The programme targets out-of-school young people aged 18 years and above who are available to attend daytime training sessions.

The initiative forms part of efforts to bridge the digital skills gap among young people and enable them to take advantage of emerging economic opportunities in the digital economy.

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