At the Ubuntu Tech Training Centre (UTTC) in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, access to technology is opening new possibilities for refugee girls and young women. What began as a digital skills training initiative is also becoming a space where learners gain confidence, connect with global opportunities, and begin to imagine futures beyond the limitations of displacement.
This spirit was especially visible during the International Girls in ICT Day 2026 celebration, when 30 young women and UTTC staff participated in a global webinar organized by Women Worldwide Web (W4) under the EQUALS Her Digital Skills partnership.
Through the live session, participants engaged with facilitators, ICT sector professionals, and fellow learners from different countries while exploring the theme “AI in the World Today.” For many of the young women, it was their first experience participating in an international virtual learning space.
Inside the ICT lab, the atmosphere was filled with curiosity as participants listened attentively, took notes, and exchanged reactions during the session. Some smiled with excitement as speakers shared examples of how Artificial Intelligence is shaping the world today. Although many of the learners are only beginning their digital journey, the webinar created a powerful moment of connection between local experiences and global conversations on technology.
The webinar introduced participants to emerging discussions around technology and Artificial Intelligence, while also helping them see themselves as part of a wider global community of girls and women in ICT. In a context where access to technology remains limited, opportunities like this help broaden horizons and encourage learners to imagine new possibilities for their future.
For many participants, the experience went beyond learning about digital trends. It strengthened confidence, motivation, and a sense of belonging in spaces that are often inaccessible to refugee girls and young women. From inside a refugee settlement in northern Uganda, participants were able to engage in the same conversations taking place across classrooms, organisations, and technology spaces around the world.
The Ubuntu Tech Training Centre, established through a partnership between Global Refugee Initiatives (GRI) and Women Worldwide Web (W4), continues to provide inclusive digital learning opportunities for refugee women, girls, school children, and underserved communities in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement.
As digital transformation continues globally, ensuring that refugee girls and young women are included in these spaces is essential. Experiences such as International Girls in ICT Day show the importance of connecting local learning environments to global platforms, helping learners build not only digital skills, but also aspiration, confidence, and a sense of belonging in the digital world.