Efforts to close the gender gap in technology are gaining momentum, with Refactory reporting that women now make up nearly 70 percent of its enrollment, a sharp contrast to global trends where female participation in STEM remains below 20 percent.
The milestone was highlighted at the Refactory Career Expo 2026 held at the National ICT Hub in Nakawa, which brought together industry leaders, recruiters, and emerging digital talent to strengthen pathways into employment.
Speaking at the event, Team Lead Michael Ninyitegeka said the shift is intentional and aimed at tackling the long standing underrepresentation of women in technology.
“We are intentional about creating opportunities for young women because their representation in technology remains low globally,” he said.
Ninyitegeka noted that Refactory’s training model is designed in collaboration with industry to ensure learners acquire practical, job ready skills that match market needs.
“Our primary focus is how to get you into work. Everything we do is designed with the end goal of employment,” he added.
The approach is already yielding results, with more female graduates moving into careers in software development, data engineering, and other digital fields traditionally dominated by men.
The Career Expo further demonstrated this progress, attracting over 60 companies and shortlisting more than 120 candidates for interviews, highlighting the growing demand for skilled digital talent.
Outbox Managing Director Richard Zulu said the initiative is part of the broader 10X Program, which aims to expand access to digital work opportunities for thousands of young women.
Zulu explained that the program focuses on both skilling and enabling young people to earn through the digital economy, including equipping them with advanced capabilities in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and data related fields.
“The digital economy is about using tools and platforms to enable young people to work and businesses to become more productive,” Zulu said.
He added that beyond technical skills, the program also supports young women entrepreneurs to leverage digital platforms such as social commerce and e commerce tools to access markets and grow their businesses.
Despite the gains, Ninyitegeka acknowledged persistent challenges such as limited access to computers and reliable internet, particularly outside urban centres, which continue to hinder many young women from fully participating in the digital economy.
Even so, both leaders emphasized that increasing women’s participation in technology is not just about equity but also about driving innovation and economic growth.
With deliberate investment and strong industry partnerships, initiatives like Refactory’s are proving that more young women are not only entering the tech space but are steadily shaping the future of work in Uganda.
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