On May 23, 2025, Maarifasasa in Lira City West Division became a hub of inspiration as the Lira Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Awareness Campaign unfolded, spotlighting digital employment opportunities for Uganda’s youth.
Organized by Maarifasasa, a pan-African company dedicated to empowering businesses in the technology economy, the event drew key stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, and enthusiastic young people eager to tap into the digital job market.

Robert Bob Okello, CEO of Maarifasasa, emphasized the company’s mission to empower one million people across Africa to thrive in the technology economy. “We are here to empower the youth to learn and earn,” Okello declared. He highlighted Marifasasa’s impact, noting that the company has trained over 6,000 youths in Uganda and across Ghana, Eswatini, and Lesotho, equipping them with skills to secure digital employment opportunities. Maarifasasa’s focus on fostering a skilled workforce is a cornerstone of its vision to bridge the employment gap through technology-driven solutions.

In his welcome remarks, Lira City Mayor Sam Atul underscored the significant unemployment challenges facing Uganda’s youth. He expressed optimism about the government’s ambitious goal to grow the economy tenfold within the next five years but stressed that achieving this requires concerted efforts from the youth themselves.

Mayor Atul revealed plans to develop a project proposal for the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID2) program, urging young people to think innovatively and seize opportunities to prosper within government initiatives.

Gideon Nkurunungi, CEO of the ICT Association of Uganda (ICTAU), delivered a compelling call to action, urging youths to harness technology opportunities rather than pointing fingers at the government or the Ministry of ICT for unemployment woes.

He praised Maarifasasa’s role in creating pathways to digital jobs and encouraged young people to take advantage of such platforms. Nkurunungi also addressed the issue of complacency, noting that many youths miss out on free training opportunities. “Leave the 24-hour focus on TikTok and pursue income-generating opportunities,” he advised, suggesting that paid training programs could foster greater commitment to skill acquisition.

James Opango, an official from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), commended Maarifasasa for organizing the event and urged Lira’s youth to remain vigilant and tap into the growing opportunities within the tech industry. Similarly, Kenneth Ogwal Awio, Head of ICT at Lira University, emphasized the critical role of technology in modern education, research, and innovation. He highlighted Lira University’s commitment to enhancing its systems through BPO, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and providing robust support services to empower students in achieving their academic and professional aspirations.

Shirley Gladys Nakyejwe, Senior IT Officer and Intellectual Property Management Specialist at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, outlined the government’s strategic efforts to advance Uganda’s BPO sector.

In collaboration with stakeholders, the Ministry is fostering a business-friendly environment, investing in digital infrastructure, and supporting both local and international investors. Nakyejwe highlighted the National BPO Policy, which aims to create 100,000 jobs, positioning the sector as a key driver of employment and economic growth in Uganda.

The Lira BPO Awareness Campaign served as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of the BPO sector in addressing youth unemployment and driving economic progress. With Maarifasasa leading the charge, supported by government initiatives and educational institutions like Lira University, the event underscored the importance of equipping young people with digital skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. As Uganda sets its sights on ambitious economic goals, the youth are called upon to seize these opportunities, embrace technology, and contribute to a brighter, more prosperous future.

Written by

Francis Oyet

Oyet Francis Opwonya, known commonly as Francis L’Oyet is a Ugandan South Sudanese investigative journalist and software engineer. Oyet is the founder and CEO of Oyet Broadcasting Services (OBS Network), an innovation hub and headquarters of The Northern Press in Uganda and The Malakal Press, located in Malakal City, Upper Nile State in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan