Of the 5 Municipals that make up Kampala District , Kawempe Urban Municipality has the highest rate of youth unemployment. The youth population is increasing explosively particularly in slum communities as a result of rapid urbanization. This increase is contributing to social and economic challenges related to; health, unemployment among others. This project offers opportunities to young people for learning, skill development, entrepreneurship and employment through practical social action.
Youth unemployability due to skill gaps and lack of economic prospects of the urban slum youth are pushing many into long-term unemployment, leading young people in a process of marginalization and social exclusion. With a majority of youth either out of school or unemployed, many turn to informal unproductive employment options that offer less possibilities for sustainable development. With limited outcomes, there is need for initiatives that provide for active youth development.
This community-wide project is intended to be a development partnership that will establish community ICT hubs for the purpose of; 1. providing the community with access to skill training and empowerment 2. offering opportunities for education through ICT 3. acting as a platform for promoting youth ICT/digital entrepreneurship. These centres are intended to run empowerment initiatives that build the potential of youth to gain skills that can lead to meaningful employment.
The project will build the potential of young people for meaningful employment through; computer applications training, micro-enterprise development, entrepreneurship and livelihoods. The established ICT hubs are intended to act as community access centres for training and empowerment initiatives. Our target is to reach out to 400 youth every year through an integrated effort that includes actions in the areas of; education, skills development and support for youth business.