ARUA YOUTHS TIPPED ON CONTENT CREATION FOR TRANSFORMATION

By Sabir Musa

Youths in Arua have been asked to use their smart phones effectively as tools for creating online contents that can earn them money to reduce the high unemployment rate and cyber crimes.

This advice was given during ICT and Multimedia Digital Skills training by Uganda Communications Commission that targeted more than 100 youths from Arua District and Arua City.

Media Vision Academy trained the youths on behalf of UCC on areas of content creation using different program on phone, skills of taking photo and laws to use while using online platforms among others.

The Lead Trainer at Media Vision Academy, Robert Nkambo, explained that, the training will equip youths with knowledge of content creation and existing laws of the country that regulates online engagement. “The problem is that the youths are incapable of tapping effectively from the use of these resources (online platforms) and it is the gap we are trying to cover. So we believe that this training gives them competence to creatively come up with content that enables them to become more marketable, look for employment and grow their business” Nkambo explained.

Coordinator for the training, Aldo Adomati, urges his fellow youths to use knowledge gained for transforming their communities. He advised that the narrative of having ‘smart phone in wrong hand’ should be change and youths use their phones creatively as they make money from content creation. “The youths are holding a tool (smart phone) that is a livelihood approach to them. We have heard in media that more than 30 of them were killed in the past 2 months but this training makes them as ambassadors to go out where they are coming from to transform to be content creators” Adomati advised.

One of the participants, Ushindi Desire, said, she most times use her phone for social media and this will training will enable his go extra and create contents that will help her in the social works.

However, Arua District Chairperson, Alfred Okuonzi, identified ICT as one of the sectors that creates employment opportunities for youths. “The manifesto of this current government is to create employment opportunities and one of the ways is through ICT” Okuonzi said.

The digital and multimedia skill training is a countrywide program by Uganda Communications Commission. In West Nile, it started with youths from Packwach and Nebbi in April, this will be followed by Moyo and Yumbe.

COVER PHOTO: A group photo of participants and leaders By Sabir Musa