By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
The minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Culture Affairs, Peace Regis Mutuuzo has urged parents and guardians to equip their children with digital skills and to guide them on the responsible use of social media, noting that digital literacy is now essential for both education and future employment.
She stressed that while technology offers opportunities for learning and innovation, parents must play an active role in ensuring their children use online platforms safely and productively.
Mutuuzo was speaking to journalists on the progress and challenges of gender literacy in Uganda ahead of World Literacy Day, marked on September 8.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2024 Census results indicate a notable improvement in literacy, with the national rate now standing at 76 percent.
Peace Regis Mutuuzo, minister of State for Gender, In charge of Cultural Affairs addressing journalists at Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday.
Despite the progress, Mutuuzo cautions that the country still faces significant challenges, with 24 percent of the population (about 11.9 million Ugandans) remaining illiterate. Of these, she noted, 7.3 million are women and 3.9 million men, underscoring the gender gap in literacy levels.
Women of adult age are the most affected. Minister Mutuuzo attributed the high rates of illiteracy among women to cultural stereotypes that historically denied them access to formal education. She, however, highlighted government interventions such as Universal Education and adult learning programs aimed at promoting literacy in Uganda.
“There is need for targeted interventions, especially in adult learning and community education, to empower both the youth and adults, and other marginalized groups,” Mutuuzo urged.
She emphasized that while Uganda should celebrate the gains made, tackling illiteracy remains crucial to the country’s social and economic development.
