It is true that programming involves a lot of symbols, so touch typing doesn't make as much difference for programming as it does for, say, typing a novel. But

It is true that programming involves a lot of symbols, so touch typing doesn't make as much difference for programming as it does for, say, typing a novel. But spending more time looking at the screen, not the keyboard helps. And even a few percent improvement in productivity adds up over time. Also, even as a programmer, you are probably writing quite a lot of prose in the form of documentation, emails etc. I hardly ever do any text entry on my phone.