The Government of Uganda has renewed its commitment to fighting illiteracy as the country prepares to mark International Literacy Day on September 8, 2025, under the theme “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era.”
State Minister for Gender and Cultural Affairs, Peace Regis Mutuuzo, during a press briefing in Kampala on Tuesday said that citizens must acquire the skills to use modern technologies effectively for learning, communication, and economic empowerment.
“Digital literacy is no longer a luxury. Everyday tasks such as mobile money transactions, online communication, and virtual meetings require practical digital skills that every Ugandan must embrace,” Mutuuzo said.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2024 report, Uganda’s literacy rate stands at 76 percent, but about 11.9 million people; including 7.3 million women remain illiterate.
Mutuuzo said tackling this challenge requires targeted community learning programs and adult education initiatives to ensure no one is left behind.
The minister highlighted government efforts to improve literacy, citing policies aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which promotes inclusive, equitable, and quality education.
Among the initiatives is the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program, launched in 1997, which increased primary school enrollment from 3.1 million learners to 10.2 million by 2017. Additionally, the government is implementing Universal Secondary Education (USE) and vocational training programs to enhance skills, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.
Mutuuzo also announced that the government has allocated UGX 83 billion over the next five years (2025/26 to 2029/30) to expand the Support to the Implementation of Integrated Community Learning for Wealth Creation (SUICOLEW) project nationwide.
“This investment aligns with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and the Parish Development Model (PDM), ensuring that literacy efforts contribute directly to socio-economic transformation,” she added.
This year’s International Literacy Day celebrations will feature a series of activities, including literacy boot camps, symposiums, reading and writing competitions, and adult learner graduation ceremonies. These events aim to showcase successes, engage communities, and promote lifelong learning as Uganda works towards Vision 2040.
