Huawei to set up Digital Village Prototype in Butaleja
![Huawei to set up Digital Village Prototype in Butaleja](../admin/images/103638100720241.jpg)
President Yoweri Museveni (6R) poses with the team from Huawei. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi (6L), the ICT Minister, also attended the meeting. PPU PHOTO/BUSINESS EDGE
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has held a meeting with a delegation from Huawei Technologies, at which the company announced plans to establish the countryâs first Digital Village Prototype.
Hover Gao, the Huawei Technologies president Sub-Saharan Africa Region, who led the delegation to meet the President at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, said the project, which is to be set up in Butaleja District, aims to demonstrate the transformative power of digital infrastructure in rural communities, introducing âsmartâ classrooms, learning centers, remote diagnosis, as well as smart solar power systems at no cost to the Ugandan government.
âHuawei is committed to accelerating Ugandaâs digital transformation. As a testament to this commitment, we are prepared to fully fund a pilot smart village project that leverages our cutting-edge technologies,â a statement from State House quoted Gao as saying.
- He further pointed out that the initiative aligns with Ugandaâs national strategy for rural development, showcasing Huaweiâs dedication to supporting these areas.
The âdigital village" prototype refers to a concept where modern digital technologies are implemented in rural or remote areas to improve living standards, infrastructure, and connectivity. It basically aims to bridge the digital divide by providing access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) to communities that traditionally have limited connectivity and access to digital services.
The prototype, which has been successfully launched in some African countries, represents an innovative approach to leveraging digital technologies for social and economic development in underserved communities, aiming to create sustainable and inclusive growth opportunities.
- Butaleja District, located in Eastern Uganda, is home to some of Ugandaâs poorest communities, facing challenges such as limited access to quality healthcare, education, clean water, and electricity.
In response, President Museveni expressed strong support for the project. âPlease go ahead with the project, and I will come myself to commission the smart village,â he said.
Sooma Mukyala Fouziya, the Public Relations Manager of Huawei Technologies Uganda, emphasised the projectâs potential to contribute to the Parish Development Model (PDM) by promoting digital transformation and sustainable growth through ICT.
âThis Smart Classroom will provide students with better education opportunities, improve self-learning capabilities, and enhance information sharing and communication among residents,â said Fouziya.
She also noted that the initiative will establish a Remote Diagnosis System to connect village health centres with national and regional hospitals, thus improving medical conditions in rural areas.
- Furthermore, she said that the project will supply Green Residential Smart PVs to ensure stable and continuous power for residents.
- She also outlined Huaweiâs âOne Country, One Network, One Cloud, One Platformâ strategy, aiming to inspire further investment and collaboration towards a smarter and more connected Uganda.
âBy providing a tangible example of the benefits of a unified digital ecosystem, we hope to inspire further investment and collaboration,â she added. âThis project will serve as a blueprint for future smart village initiatives across the country, showcasing the potential of technology to transform lives and drive sustainable development, while minimising the financial burden on the government.â
Based in China, Huawei operates on a global scale, with a significant presence in markets across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This extensive reach enables them to cater to diverse customer needs and tap into various regional opportunities.
The company, which is also implementing several cutting-edge technologies in the country, began its operations in Uganda in 2001 and currently employs dozens of Ugandans.