144 young Ugandans graduated from the Skills for Digital Jobs Initiative, an advanced digital skills initiative by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Refactory Academy designed for young people with practical, industry-aligned competencies in high-demand fields such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Product Design (UI/UX), and Cloud Computing.
The initiative enrolled 217 learners, surpassing the initial target of 150 and achieving 145% enrolment. The graduates underwent an intensive hands-on training supported by experienced instructors, mentors, and industry practitioners. Each was also equipped with work-readiness skills, career support, and opportunities for employer engagement to ensure a smoother transition into the workforce.
The graduating cohort is already drawing recruitment interest from local tech firms, Executive Director Michael Niyitegeka said at the graduation ceremony, praising the students’ effort and noting employers had seen tangible results; he revealed that one company contacted the academy saying, “Send us five,” and later confirmed it would hire all —a clear sign that growing industry confidence in the program is translating into concrete job opportunities.
Niyitegeka urged graduates to keep strong, discoverable professional profiles, warning that low platform visibility can block recruiters and advising alumni to upload their work and respond to opportunities proactively; he also pledged short-term support for placements and partnerships, as he called on industry partners to collaborate with the academy on hiring and projects.
Ian King, UNDP Uganda’s Deputy Resident Representative, also urged graduates to use their new skills to seize employment, entrepreneurship, and remote-work opportunities while warning that a widening digital skills gap risks leaving many young people behind.
The Skills for Digital Jobs Initiative is a milestone UNDP says demonstrates the country’s readiness to compete in the fast-growing global digital economy. King described the initiative as driven by “urgency, purpose, and belief,” and praised its hands-on approach, which pairs mentorship, industry-aligned training, and real-world projects rather than theory-heavy lessons. He said that the model proves that “when education is practical, transformation happens.”
King also issued a broader challenge to government, the private sector, and development partners to expand pathways so no young Ugandan with a desire to learn is left behind. He applauded Refactory Academy for its partnership and urged graduates to maintain ties with the programme and, in time, return to mentor the next generation. “The world is watching and humanity’s counting on you,” he said, urging alumni to “get up and rise again” after failure and to convert ideas into enterprises.
UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Uganda in building an inclusive, future-ready workforce capable of seizing digital opportunities.
The Skills for Digital Jobs Initiative positions Uganda as a regional leader in digital transformation. It is benefiting from enhanced mobile connectivity, expanding digital services, and emerging technologies shaping new industries. It is empowering young people to participate competitively in the digital economy, drive innovation, and contribute to the country’s long-term socioeconomic development.
Refactory Academy emphasized the importance of industry-driven training and practical learning models that strengthen both technical and soft skills. Over the past five years, the academy has trained more than 700 youth, achieved a 91% placement rate, and strengthened Uganda’s talent pipeline for the tech sector.
The graduation is extending digital skilling opportunities to even more young people across the country.
