Nelson Mandela Technology Innovation Center to curb unemployment

Jinja

The late Nelson Mandela’s youngest daughter Zindziswa Mandela last week launched a Technology Innovation Center in Masese, Walukuba Division in Jinja District.

Ms Mandela, who is South Africa’s ambassador to Denmark, the managing Trustee Mandela Children’s Fund and the director founder Mandela Legacy, said the Shs200m facility is one of the most important innovations that will address the serious unemployment rates among the youth in rural communities.

“We have many people who are capable of creating things but they have not been given the opportunity. We are encouraging them to come and network with like-minded people who can encourage them to think, create and innovate" she said.

The Technology Innovation Center has been named after her late father, former South African President, Nelson Mandela and will be developed in partnership with the Danish Technological Institute.

“Naming   this Technology Innovation Center  after my father is not only celebrating his legacy  but reclaiming  his name for Africa, as  you well know  my father is recognised for quality education and  well documented  especially in re-developing  countries where quality education was scarce ,”she said.

The launch started with a fundraising ceremony at Busoga Square in Jinja town before laying the foundation stone by Ms Mandela in Masese.

Speaking at the fundraising ceremony, Uganda’s head of mission to Nordic states and also founder of the Technology Centre, Mr Kibedi Zaake Wanume thanked Ms Mandela for honoring his invitation.

“Ms Mandela is here upon my invitation to launch the development of a Technology Innovation Centre (TIC). This a project I initiated together with Busoga Development Link to avail facilities and expertise to the young people, unemployed, underemployed and small business to develop skills and innovations. This will create new opportunities and jobs as well as boosting the growth of small business,” he said

“Uganda is a young population with high unemployment and under-employment. The only way to create employment for this category is empowering them to develop their skills, become creative and innovative hence creation of new opportunities and jobs for them. We are establishing the TIC in collaboration with the Danish Technological Institute (DTI) and Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI),” he added.

The  Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Mr Kirunda  Kivejinja  who participated in fundraising  for the  Technology  Innovation  Center  said  it is  now time for service  delivery  to the people.

Also present at the event were; South African High commissioner to Ugandan, Mollo Lekoa, the NRM  Secretary General,  Ms  Justin Kasule Lumumba, and Executive Director of UIRI, Mr Charles Kwesiga.

Others included; Area Member of Parliament, Mr Moses Balyeku, MPs; Mr Guma Gumisiriza and Ms Margaret Muhanga, Chairman LCV Jinja District and Chairmen LCVs of Iganga and Bugiri, Business community including Kakira sugar works, Scania  (U) Ltd and Escom.