President Museveni has given a go-ahead to a Chinese technology giant-Huawei to establish a pilot digital village prototype in Butaleja district.
The greenlight was given during a meeting the President had with a delegation from Huawei Technologies- Uganda at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi.
During the meeting, the Huawei team announced plans to establish a Digital Village Prototype in Uganda.
According to Hover Gao, President of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa Region, the project aims to demonstrate the transformative power of digital infrastructure in rural communities.
He highlighted the benefits of the Smart Village initiative which includes 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,” he stated.
He added that the initiative aligns with Uganda’s national strategy for rural development, showcasing Huawei’s dedication to supporting these areas.
In response, President Museveni expressed strong support for the project. “Please go ahead with the project, and I will come myself to commission the smart village.” he stated.
Meanwhile, Sooma Mukyala Fouziya, the Huawei Technologies Uganda loudspeaker, informed the President that Butaleja District has been identified for the pilot study of the smart village.
She emphasised 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,” she said.
Mukyala also noted that the initiative will establish a Remote Diagnosis System to connect village health centres with national and regional hospitals, thus improving medical conditions in rural areas.
“The project will supply Green Residential Smart PVs to ensure stable and continuous power for residents” she added.
Mukyala also 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.
She said the 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 handed over a plaque to the President as a symbol of their commitment towards the Digital Village Prototype initiative. The meeting was also attended among others Ministers Matia Kasaija, Chris Baryomunsi and PSs.
