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UN Women, in collaboration with the Government of Uganda and the African Union Commission, has launched the third phase of the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) at Wanyange Girls’ Secondary School in Jinja.
This initiative aims to equip young girls with crucial digital skills, preparing them for careers in coding, robotics, and technology innovation.
AGCCI is a flagship programme that empowers adolescent girls across Africa, helping them bridge the gender digital divide and opening up pathways to future tech careers.
Since its inception in 2018, AGCCI has successfully trained thousands of girls across the continent in ICT and STEM fields.
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With Uganda now expanding the programme nationally, the country affirms its commitment to nurturing the next generation of female tech leaders and innovators.
Encouraging Education for Empowerment
Dr. Joyce Abaliwo Mulebeke, State Minister for Gender, Women & Children Affairs in the Busoga Kingdom, praised the programme for its role in advancing Uganda’s goals for STEM education and digital inclusion.
“Today, we are investing in girls not just as learners, but as future creators, coders, and innovators who will shape the digital future of Uganda and Africa,” she said.
Dr. Mulebeke encouraged the girls to take education seriously, recognising it as a powerful tool for economic empowerment and personal growth.
African Girls Can Code Initiative
Closing the Gender Digital Divide
UN Women Uganda Country Representative, Paulina Chiwangu, who was represented by Grace Bulenzi, Programme Specialist for Gender Statistics, highlighted the need to address Uganda’s digital gender gap.
“Only 26% of women in Uganda are online, compared to 45% of men,” she said.
“This is more than a training programme—it’s a movement.” The AGCCI initiative is designed to tackle this gap by providing coding boot camps, mentorship, and hands-on learning to equip girls with skills in web development, programming, design thinking, and robotics.
At the launch event, 60 girls from Wanyange Girls’ Secondary School completed an intensive 10-day training course, with each receiving a certificate in recognition of their achievement.
The event also featured a live coding demonstration and inspiring testimonials from AGCCI alumni.
Local leaders, parents, and key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, were present to show their support for the initiative.