Digital Skills Initiative
A planned TFast programme for practical, supervised access to computers and digital skills in Uganda.
Key facts
Run by TFast Digital Agency, a Ugandan sole proprietor business name. Programme lead: Kalyango Brian. Base: Bulenga, Musoke Road, Uganda. Status: planning and preparation. TFast is a business, not a charity, NGO or non-profit.
What problem does the initiative address?
Computer skills are learned by doing. Nobody learns to type, build a web page or write a first program only from theory. They need time on a real computer and a way to get online, and young people in Uganda may still find both hard to reach. Brian knows this from his own start: around 2005 he had limited access to computers and internet and nobody to teach him.
The proposed programme
The plan is supervised, hands-on sessions where learners share computers in turn, so each machine helps many people over time. The planned focus is computer basics, typing and safe internet use for younger learners; documents and everyday digital tools; and beginner web, software and mobile skills for older youth. Modules, schedules, locations and participation arrangements are not confirmed. Jobs, certificates and learner outcomes are not promised.
Curiosity first
Promising learners are not only the ones with top marks. Look for the child who keeps asking how something works, keeps experimenting after others stop and won’t give up on a bug. Learners should not be held back by age or class: if a young learner is ready for real projects, Git, APIs and databases, they should get them. The question we want to ask is not only what did you study, but what did you build, what went wrong and how did you fix it.
Learning from people who build
The internet means a learner in Uganda can learn from engineers anywhere. Mentors can join online to teach a session, review code, show how they debug, set challenges or introduce open-source work. Not endless tutorials either: watch, understand, try, build, get stuck, research, ask, debug, improve and ship.
What exactly are we asking for?
Devices: working laptops, desktop computers and accessories that are already in Uganda or bought locally, plus networking equipment and power protection. Funding: support to buy devices locally and pay for internet data. Skills: trainers, mentors, guest speakers and help with learning material. Volunteers: people who can set up computers, run sessions or support learners. Partners and introductions: schools, community organisations, companies and individuals who can help us reach learners or resources.
Help shape the first sessions
Roles involving children require safeguarding arrangements before participation. Confirmed progress will be shared through the transparency page.
What progress can we show so far?
At this stage there are no programme results to publish. When there are real records, such as devices received and their condition, dates, consented photos and short updates, they will be added here and to the transparency page.
Who can take part, and does it cost anything?
The first learners, where sessions will run and whether any fees apply have not been decided yet. This page will say so when they are.
Business-led community support. Contributions are not tax-deductible. Read our transparency notes.