Over the past year, Global Refugee Initiatives (GRI), in partnership with Worldwide Womenโs Web (W4), has established the Ubuntu Tech Training Centre (UTTC) in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, Uganda.
This is more than just a training space.
It is:
- the first ICT centre in the settlement dedicated to girls and women,ย
- the first centre hosted within a remote refugee primary school and powered by solar energy, ensuring access to digital learning even in off-grid settings, andย
- a unique model bringing together school children, out-of-school girls, and community women in one inclusive learning environment.ย
In a context where access to technology is limited, the centre is addressing multiple challenges at once, education, digital inclusion, and economic empowerment.
We officially launched the centre on 9 December 2025, marking the beginning of a transformative journey for refugee communities. Since then, the response has been overwhelming. Applications exceeded expectations, and our first cohort of learners has shown remarkable commitment and enthusiasm.
From the Ubuntu Tech Divas (girls at risk of dropping out), to community women, to pupils and teachers at Ubuntu Model Primary School, the impact is already visible.
The initiative has also sparked new opportunities. Through W4, we connected with the Maendeleo Foundation, whose collaboration brought the MTN Internet Bus to the settlement, expanding access to digital literacy for even more women and girls and strengthening community engagement around the centre.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the W4 team, Lindsey, Manon, Daisy, and Lea Sophie Gill, for their trust, guidance, and support, and to Asia Kamukama and the Maendeleo Foundation team for their collaboration in delivering these impactful activities.
The Ubuntu Tech Training Centre is unlocking potential and opening pathways to opportunity, but this is just the beginning.
If we are serious about closing the digital gap, we must invest in solutions that reach the most underserved, including refugee women and girls.
We welcome partners and supporters to join us in scaling this model and transforming futures together.