Cross-Cutting Themes: Youth, Women, ICT and Urbanisation

INTENT
To mainstream the key drivers for Uganda’s socio-economic transformation as we enter the 3rd decade of the 21st century.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

  1. To mainstream youth and women participation in governance and development processes through the interventions proposed in this Strategic Plan;
  2. To scale up ICT usage by the local communities and institutions as part of the governance and development infrastructure of the 21st century;
  3. To use ICT as a tool for enhancing our work in the field of education, health, economic empowerment and capacity building; and
  4. To support the growing urbanization in the country so that urban councils and leaders can turn urban areas into centres for local economic development, innovation and service delivery.

RATIONALE
Youth and women constitute the biggest percentage of Uganda’s population. Mainstreaming youth and women participation in governance and development makes it faster, more inclusive and sustainable.

The 21st century is defined by ICT. And yet ICT uptake and usage in Uganda is still very low (The 2020 UNCTDA Report on ICT). This will make Uganda lag behind as the world accelerates into the  4IR. Effective deployment of ICT in the governance and development processes improves livelihood, innovation, education, agriculture, health and employment, among others.

UBOS/UDHS 2016 projected the urban population of Uganda by 2017 to be 9.4 Million people representing 27.6% of the then total population. With the gazetting of more urban areas in form of cities, municipalities and town councils, the urban population is set to grow to 1/3rd of the total population. This urbanization trend is a global phenomenon that can spur development and innovation, when planned well or escalate challenges of poverty and instability.

STRATEGY

  1. Building the capacity of youth and women to effectively participate in governance and development processes at local, national and international level;
  2. Empowering local institutions and communities to deploy ICT for development;
  3. Building the requisite infrastructure and skills to enable Camel Communities deploy ICT effectively in her programme areas.