It’s 2025, you need a document printed, and have no idea where to start. You press random buttons, the printer makes some concerning noises, and now you’ve somehow made ten copies of a document you didn’t intend to make.
While Uganda has been pushing for advancements in tech, innovation, and sciences, not many Ugandans—especially the older generation—are fully competent in digital skills. It brings to mind a meme; a frustrated intern watching someone making three times their salary struggle to save a PDF. It’s funny until it’s you sweating over a Word document that just won’t format properly. Honestly, that’s partially what inspired us to write this article—because in 2025, knowing basic digital skills isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s practically a survival skill.
Besides, with the new school curriculum pushing kids to research and engage in digital self-learning, knowing your way around a computer—even at the most basic level—will save you a lot of headaches when your child asks for help on a project. You don’t want to be the parent who proudly says, “Ask your mother/father” as you get yourself busy while your kid is coding a website for their assignment. So, today let’s talk about some essential digital skills every Ugandan should know to navigate 2025 like a “planned kid/parent,” as modern slung has it.
(1). Basic Computer Operations (the Power Button Isn’t the Only Thing You Should Know)
If your troubleshooting skills begin and end with turning the computer off and on again, I think it’s time for an upgrade. Quite frankly, if you can’t navigate a computer successfully you are in for hardships in all aspects; banking systems are pushing for internet banking, payments are made online through applications and whatnot digital systems, and the government is shifting services online—from voter registration to passports. Even essential utilities like water and electricity bills are paid on mobile money services like Yaka. Online is the new physical.
Today, basic computer literacy is a desired skill for employment, and this includes knowing how to:
- Create and organise files and folders (instead of saving everything on the desktop like a digital hoarder).
- Install and uninstall programs without calling a tech-savvy relative.
- Connect to Wi-Fi without staring blankly at the router when it refuses to cooperate—which happens often.
- Recognize basic error messages instead of panicking and assuming your computer has been hacked.
(2). Familiarity with Productivity Software
If you think an Excel spreadsheet is but a mysterious grid for accountants and other such professions, dear reader, it is time to upskill.
Knowing how to use the Microsoft Office Suit (or Google Workspace if you prefer cloud-based tools) is a game-changer today. Today, everyone wants a monthly report sent to their email, records kept on a database or an Excel spreadsheet at least—not to mention presentations.
At the very least, you should be able to:
- Write and format a document in Microsoft Word or Google Docs (bold, italics, headings—yes, these exist for a reason!).
- Create a basic spreadsheet in Excel or Google Sheets (no, you don’t have to be an accountant to use it—anyone in any business can use it).
- Make a simple presentation in PowerPoint or Google Slides (so you’re not the person whose entire slideshow is just walls of text).
(3). Internet and Email Etiquette
The internet is a treasure trove of information, but only if you know how to use it, even so, if you have trouble navigating the internet, you to have a hard time getting information. Today, every business and organisation has a website and a social media handle, and they expect you to use them for information.
Undoubtedly, with the rise of AI agents, those said organisations and businesses now have dedicated AI assistants that are fully capable of answering any query you might have and thus, knowing how to navigate the online world is a plus. You should be able to:
- Perform an effective Google search (instead of typing entire paragraphs into the search bar, use keywords that make it easier to get the information you are actually looking for and not endless lists of related searches).
- Manage an email account—send attachments, reply to emails without accidentally hitting ‘Reply All,’ and avoid clicking suspicious links that promise free money.
- Recognize scam emails (if an unknown prince from Nigeria wants to send you money, it’s probably a scam) Don’t be the colleague who suddenly starts telling people how a one scholarship opportunity paid them millions and insists you can get yours today… – How Scammers Hack Accounts and How to Stay Safe
(4). Basic Troubleshooting
Before you give up and declare that technology hates you, be able to troubleshoot some technical issues with your machines and gadgets, otherwise, tech personnel can be very unforgiving once they realise how fallible and unaware you are. Try these simple fixes:
- If your computer is slow, check for unnecessary startup programs or clear temporary files. Know your hardware’s capabilities and how to use your software in a way that doesn’t overload your system.
- If the internet isn’t working, restarting the router often does wonders.
- If a program isn’t responding, give it a moment before force-quitting everything in a panic, sometimes you are just running too much and using too much of your device’s resources…they need time to breathe too.
- If your printer refuses to cooperate, check if it’s connected and if papers are properly inserted in the printer. (You’d be surprised how often that’s the problem).
(5). Digital Security
Hackers are everywhere and, on every platform, trying to access unsuspecting users, so, if you are going to spend time online knowing basic cybersecurity can save you from major headaches:
- Use strong passwords and, for the love of all that is digital, don’t use the same password for everything since that will compromise all your accounts once that password is cracked…
- Learn how to enable two-factor authentication for extra security.
- Avoid clicking random links or downloading suspicious attachments, especially from unknown senders.
- Be cautious about the personal information you share online—scammers are getting craftier by the day and identity theft is on the rise, you never can tell who is posing as you somewhere on the internet. – Simple Tricks to Save You from Potential Phone Hackers.
(6). Printing and Scanning
Printing a document shouldn’t require divine intervention. Learn how to:
- Select the right printer and print settings.
- Scan and save documents properly.
- Convert files to PDF instead of asking, “How to turn document into PDF” every time.
(7). Artificial Intelligence Usage
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just for techies—it can be incredibly helpful for everyday tasks. And to be honest, many are using it today for a variety of use cases:
- Use AI tools to summarize documents, translate text, or even draft emails.
- Ask AI assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, or Alexa to set reminders, answer questions, or control smart home devices… if you are going to flex that iPhone or Google Pixel phone, at least know how to use the various features that make them flagship phones, to begin with.
- Learn how to fact-check AI-generated content instead of blindly trusting everything it tells you.
The truth of the matter is that learning tech and digital skills are the new normal, and pretending you can live without them is becoming increasingly unrealistic. Whether it’s applying for jobs, helping your kids with schoolwork, or just making sure you don’t embarrass yourself at work, these skills will make your life infinitely easier.
So, next time you find yourself struggling to save a PDF or wondering why your computer screen suddenly went black, remember: you’ve got this. And if all else fails… well, at least now you know that turning it off and on again isn’t the only solution.
