Developing Youth Skills in Digital Creative Industries: Beatrice Mao’s Vision for Kampala

Beatrice Mao poses with Sammy and Shower

Kampala is a young city. Every day, thousands of talented young people create content, design graphics, edit videos, code platforms, and shape digital culture—often without structured support, training, or opportunity. As Lord Mayor, Beatrice Mao envisions a Kampala where youth creativity is not wasted or informal, but developed into a respected and productive economic force.

The digital creative economy is no longer optional; it is one of the fastest-growing industries globally. From content creation, animation, photography, music production, and fashion design to software development, digital marketing, and film, young people already possess raw talent. What has been missing are systems—training, infrastructure, mentorship, and access to markets.

A core pillar of this vision is the establishment of FREE INTERNET ZONES across Kampala’s divisions. These zones will be strategically placed in public libraries, markets, youth centers, community spaces, and digital hubs to remove the single biggest barrier facing young creatives: access. Reliable, free internet will allow youth to learn, create, collaborate, access global platforms, and earn—without cost standing in the way of opportunity.

Alongside this, Beatrice Mao will champion Digital Creative Hubs that provide shared workspaces, production equipment, and structured training in digital skills such as video production, graphic design, UI/UX, animation, coding, and social media monetization. Opportunity will be decentralized—bringing tools and skills closer to communities instead of forcing talent to migrate or disappear.

Strong partnerships with the private sector, tech companies, media houses, and international creative institutions will drive mentorship, certification, internships, and exposure to real-world projects. Kampala will shift from informal creativity to structured employability.

Digital entrepreneurship will be actively supported, enabling youth to turn skills into businesses through incubation programs, simplified licensing, digital marketplaces, and access to city-led projects. Creativity will no longer be treated as a hobby but as dignified work that creates income and growth.

Special focus will be placed on young women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities to ensure inclusive access to training and opportunity. Kampala’s digital future must reflect all its people.

By investing in youth digital skills—supported by FREE INTERNET ZONES, practical training, and real economic pathways—Kampala will reduce unemployment, expand its tax base, and position itself as a regional creative capital.

Under Beatrice Mao’s leadership, Kampala will move from wasted potential to empowered youth, from consumption to creation, and from promise to performance.