Uganda Invests Shs 83 Billion to Tackle Illiteracy Ahead of International Literacy Day
Uganda will on Monday, September 8, join the global community in celebrating International Literacy Day, with government unveiling a renewed push to fight illiteracy and strengthen digital learning across the country.
This year’s observance will run under the theme “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era”—a reflection of the need to prepare Ugandans with modern skills to compete in an increasingly technology-driven world.
Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Gender and Cultural Affairs, Peace Regis Mutuuzo, stressed that literacy is both “a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of national development.”
“As we approach International Literacy Day on September 8, 2025, it is with great pride and renewed determination that I address you today. This global observance stands as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of literacy,” Mutuuzo noted.
Uganda has observed the day since 2002, but despite gains, nearly a quarter of the population still lacks basic reading and writing skills.
“While we celebrate our progress—evidenced by a literacy rate of 76% (UBOS 2024)—we must also acknowledge the ongoing challenges. Despite significant strides, 24% of our population remains illiterate; in absolute numbers there are approximately 11.9 million Ugandans,” she said.
To respond to this challenge, government is stepping up interventions that include Universal Primary Education, Universal Secondary Education, vocational training, and the Functional Adult Literacy programme, which has so far reached over 3.3 million learners.
Mutuuzo also announced the expansion of the Support to the Implementation of Integrated Community Learning for Wealth Creation (SUICOLEW) programme, backed by Shs 83 billion over the next five years. The initiative will establish more community learning centres and integrate digital literacy training nationwide.
“A major contribution of the project is in advancing human capital development, particularly among marginalized groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities,” she explained.
Activities to mark the day will include a literacy boot camp, symposiums, reading competitions, and graduation ceremonies for adult learners.
Mutuuzo appealed to all stakeholders to join hands in the literacy drive: “The advancement of literacy requires a unified approach, and each of us has a critical role to play in this collective endeavour.”
She also paid tribute to Uganda’s development partners for their continued support: “Your contributions are instrumental in advancing our literacy goals and shaping a brighter future for Uganda.”
