Eight-nine (89) individuals with no prior background in technology have graduated with tech skills after completing a six-month training program at the Refactory Academy, a software development academy, bridging the gap between education and the tech industry.
The graduating cohort, which included women, youth, and persons living with disabilities (PWDs) from various professions such as hospitality and healthcare, completed training in areas including Foundations of Software Engineering, Python and JavaScript certificates, Data Science, and Machine Learning.
“Our primary focus is to enable as many young people, especially women from underserved communities, to access tech skills because when they do, their employability potential significantly increases,” Michael Niyitegeka, Executive Director at Refactory Academy said during the graduation ceremony at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa.
The graduation ceremony coincided with the premiere of the Digital Skills Showcase 2024. The showcase, funded by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by Refactory in collaboration with other consortium partners, is part of a three-year program called Ten X, which aims to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital economy.
“The Digital Skills Showcase is not just a celebration of talent but a call to action for all stakeholders to invest in skilling and innovation,” said Niyitegeka. “Together, we can build a sustainable digital future that empowers individuals and transforms communities.”
The one-day event featured inspiring keynote speeches, dynamic panel discussions, and innovative project demonstrations by Refactory alumni and students. Highlights included breakthrough solutions addressing Uganda’s pressing digital challenges and interactive zones that fostered connections among key stakeholders in the tech ecosystem.
Benoni Katende, Chief Technology and Enterprise Solutions Officer at NSSF Uganda and the Chief Guest at the Showcase said, “We can use technology to solve real-life problems, and that is when we will begin to see a difference.” He added, “Find a problem you can solve and use technology to address it. Let us adopt a problem-solving mindset and create disruptive solutions, making them faster, cheaper, and better.”
Emmanuel Kodwo, a Senior Associate Researcher at Includovate and an alumnus of Refactory emphasized the importance of understanding the context in which developers operate. “You cannot just sit in a room and develop a solution,” he said —emphasizing that as a developer, you need to understand the field for which you are creating a solution.
“Simplicity is key when developing tools for users, and programmers must grasp the basics of the relevant fields to effectively address problems,” Kodwo remarked.
Winfred Claire Nakamatte, a midwifery professional currently working with Laboremus Uganda, a software company noted that she is very passionate about what she does at Laboremus, and the career change from a midwifery to a software developer has positively impacted her life.
Over the past five years, Refactory Academy has trained approximately 700 young professionals, achieving a remarkable 91% placement rate and driving innovation within the tech ecosystem. Designed by industry experts for the tech sector, Refactory aims to empower individuals with the skills necessary to transform Uganda’s digital economy.
