This article describes community needs assessment research undertaken in early 2021 to guide development of a meaningful and sustainable digital literacy skills training programme for women and youth to be delivered via a nation-wide network of public and community libraries in Uganda. 

The research comprised qualitative and quantitative methods, and included interviews with librarians and meetings with library authorities and community members across the country. It was conducted by EIFL, Peer 2 Peer University, National Library of Uganda and Maendeleo Foundation for the ‘Digital skills and inclusion through libraries in Uganda’ project.  The findings were used to gain a deeper understanding of the expectations and preferences of women and youth in relation to digital skills and online content, and to raise awareness about future training to be implemented by the project partners. 

The article shares learnings from the needs assessment process, and discusses how findings were used to inform and shape the development of the digital literacy training programme.

Article published in Vol. 2 No. 1 (2022): Journal of Library Outreach and Engagement [ DOI: https://doi.org/10.21900/j.jloe.v2i1.875 ]

The 'Digital skills and inclusion through libraries in Uganda' project is funded by Belgium through the Wehubit Programme implemented by the Belgian development agency, Enabel.