President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met with a delegation from Huawei Technologies Uganda at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi on July 9, 2024.
The discussions centered around Huawei’s plans to establish a Digital Village Prototype in Uganda.
Mr. Hover Gao, President of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa Region, outlined the project, which aims to demonstrate the transformative power of digital infrastructure in rural communities.
The Smart Village initiative will include Smart Classrooms, Learning Centers, Remote Diagnosis, and Smart PVs (Solar) at no cost to the Ugandan government.
“Huawei is committed to accelerating Uganda’s digital transformation. As a testament to this commitment, we are prepared to fully fund a pilot smart village project that leverages our cutting-edge technologies,” stated Mr. Gao.
He added that the initiative aligns with Uganda’s national strategy for rural development, showcasing Huawei’s dedication to supporting these areas.
President Museveni expressed strong support for the project, stating, “Please go ahead with the project, and I will come myself to commission the smart village.”
Sooma Mukyala Fouziya, Public Relations Manager of Huawei Technologies Uganda, informed the President that Butaleja District has been identified for the pilot study of the smart village. She emphasized the project’s potential to contribute to the Parish Development Model (PDM) by promoting digital transformation and sustainable growth through ICT.
“This Smart Classroom will provide students with better education opportunities, improve self-learning capabilities, and enhance information sharing and communication among residents,” said Fouziya.
She also highlighted the establishment of a Remote Diagnosis System to connect village health centers with national and regional hospitals, improving medical conditions in rural areas. Additionally, the project will supply Green Residential Smart PVs to ensure stable and continuous power for residents.
Fouziya further outlined Huawei’s “One Country, One Network, One Cloud, One Platform” strategy, aiming to inspire further investment and collaboration towards a smarter and more connected Uganda.
“By providing a tangible example of the benefits of a unified digital ecosystem, we hope to inspire further investment and collaboration,” she added.
Adding that: “This project will serve as a blueprint for future smart village initiatives across the country, showcasing the potential of technology to transform lives and drive sustainable development, while minimizing the financial burden on the government.”
At the end of the meeting, the Huawei team presented a plaque to President Museveni as a symbol of their commitment to the Digital Village Prototype initiative.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija; Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi; the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury – Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi; Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi; the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde; and Mr. Gao Jian, the Deputy Managing Director of Huawei Uganda.
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