Summary

• Authorities in Nabilatuk district have transformed a former detention facility into a youth center focused on digital literacy and education.
• The collaboration with Tocau Karamoja and support from MTN Uganda have equipped the center with modern amenities and resources.

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Authorities in Nabilatuk district have repurposed a former detention facility for suspected cattle rustlers into a youth center aimed at promoting digital literacy and education. Situated within Nabilatuk Town Council, the facility previously served as a detention center during cordon and search operations between 2022 and 2023.

In collaboration with Tocau Karamoja, a youth-led organization focused on empowering the Karamoja region, the district received a fully equipped computer library worth 20 million shillings from MTN Uganda under its transformative MTN Changer Makers Initiative.

The refurbished facility now boasts modern amenities including furniture, a computer lab, and internet connectivity. Kyeyune Ssenyonjo, the Nabilatuk Resident District Commissioner, commended the partners for repurposing the facility into a learning center.

He acknowledged the facility’s previous role in holding criminal elements and emphasized the importance of district support to ensure its proper maintenance and security.

Kizito Tebanyang, founder of Tocau Karamoja, highlighted the initiative’s potential to enhance computer literacy and education in the district. He emphasized the center’s role in aiding youth in catching up with technology, offering free guidance and teaching services to those interested in learning computer skills and conducting research.

Simon Peter Loteng, the Nabilatuk District Senior Education Officer, expressed optimism that the facility would motivate more youth to engage in computer learning, addressing the existing gap in computer knowledge within the education sector.

He underscored the importance of maintaining and securing the facility to prevent vandalism and ensure its longevity.

Dr. Charles Nuwagaba, Chief Community Officer for MTN Uganda in the Karamoja region, and proprietor of Tiffan Enterprises, highlighted MTN’s commitment to digital inclusion and youth empowerment through education.

He emphasized the significance of collaborations to inspire, innovate, and invest in the region’s youth, noting the transformative potential of digital literacy initiatives. The support from MTN Uganda through its philanthropic arm, MTN Foundation, is seen as a catalyst for a digital revolution in the region, addressing the educational and economic challenges faced by youth.

Nuwagaba pledged to continue supporting the local community in digital literacy and other transformative interventions.