Software developers have urged government to create more opportunities for young people who have developed digital competencies both in Uganda and across the region.
The appeal was made during the Digital Solutions Expo 2025, held at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa last week. Uganda currently boasts over 100,000 software developers, while Africa as a whole has more than one million.
However, of Uganda’s 100,000 developers, only about 30,000 can be absorbed into the local job market, leaving the majority approximately 70,000 unutilized.
“Uganda as an ecosystem cannot absorb all the software talent we have. There are very few companies or organizations in Uganda that have embraced what we call digital transformation. People are still comfortable with the traditional ways of working,” Ivan Koreta, the apprenticeship lead at Refactory said.
Koreta emphasized the need for the government to evaluate the relevance of skills young people are acquiring from educational institutions and to create more value chain opportunities.
He also noted that the Ministry of ICT is already working on Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) initiatives that aim to connect young developers to international companies. Developers also expressed concern over the high cost of internet and inadequate digital infrastructure factors they say are hindering the growth of the local tech ecosystem.
Despite the global shift towards artificial intelligence (AI), Uganda still lacks the infrastructure and storage capacity necessary to support AI innovations.
“As developers, we face the challenge of evolving technological trends. To remain relevant, it’s essential to stay current—not stuck using outdated technologies,” Koreta added.
Afra Nakanwagi, a software developer, spoke about the difficulty of monetizing tech skills despite the fact that software professionals are among the best-paid globally. “We’re facing challenges in earning from our skills.
Many still believe the only way to earn is through writing code. But the software ecosystem is broad—opportunities exist in product design, management, data analysis, and even cybersecurity,” Afra Nakanwagi, a developer She emphasized the importance of being competent in various aspects of the software value chain to tap into diverse job opportunities across disciplines.
Koreta added that Uganda must become more intentional about nurturing software talent not just in technical skills but also in soft skills such as communication and self- presentation.
“We need to build professionals who are not only technically capable but who can also confidently present themselves and their work.” He highlighted Refactory’s efforts, noting that the academy has empowered nearly 2,000 young people with digital skills.
“We are creating clear pathways to help those we train transition into the real world of work—both within Uganda and the broader region.”
Stephen Magero, a senior technology executive at Andela, echoed the need for a mindset shift across the tech industry. “Many challenges stem from not fully understanding the importance of digitization. There’s also a need for cultural change to allow tech talent to thrive.”
He praised Refactory’s apprenticeship program and encouraged graduates and other tech professionals to embrace collaboration, saying it helps demonstrate competency and co- create impactful solutions.
geofreyserugo1992@gmail.com
In tech, there is a saying- go fast and disrupt…
Having read the article and seen the picture what comes to mind are individuals who are not as competent as they might think and feel self entitled and that is why they are calling on government to give them jobs in tech.( Why should the Ugandan government be populated by “left overs”-not good enough to be absorbed by META ? )
They can only call themselves software developers because they had the opportunity to get a certificate from a university that states as much- the university itself has not developed any useful software. Think about the above statement.
While I was learning how to use Microsoft word, my “teacher”- I doubt he had a degree in ICT, told me that the antivirus industry makes big money. People create viruses and are then paid to “fight” them. This is done by Ugandan “politicians” as well as the pharmaceutical industry. Think about it.
If you have money and you take your kid to do an expensive ICT course but he/she is better suited to look after cows, you will have him asking for work like the above individuals in the article.
There is a country called North Korea- it has a bad reputation on the international scene and even worse economic restrictions on international trade(it cannot legally do international business)
Do you know one of the shady ways it makes money ?
ICT
(The Lazarus Heist BBC podcast).
I am not telling you to create viruses for pay or rob international banks using your IT skills(for what those generic “software developer” skills you boast of are worth).
All I am saying is with all the opportunities available in the ICT field you guys should not be asking the government for jobs, leave that talk to teachers( your courses were/are much more expensive for a reason but did you deserve them or were you guys supposed to be herding cows?).
Resources might have been better utilised teaching you how to look after cows (nomadic pastoralism in the 21 century) instead of crowding out the people better suited to do ICT just because you guys have parents who can bribe you into such courses though you are not competent enough.
Time always reveals the truth. A genuine software developer asking the government to give him/her a job, you should be lobbying for contracts.
Only in Uganda. KAZOOBA !!!
Software developers solve problems using computer languages. You can’t solve your unemployment problem then how can you solve Uganda’s problems when given a job in Government.
I CANNOT ABUSE THESE PEOPLE ENOUGH. I think I will do it in phases…
Hiccup !