UWESO school gets sh40m computer donation to bridge digital divide

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Nakasongola district-based Migyera UWESO Secondary School has received 15 locally assembled computers valued at over sh40m. The donation by Maticent Industries Uganda Ltd aims to tackle the digital divide by providing students with the tools they need to thrive in a modern economy.

The computers, known as the Continuum All-in-One Desktop, were on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, handed over at a ceremony presided over by Jolly Kamugira Kamuhangire, the chief executive officer of the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO).

Founded in 1986 by First Lady Mrs Janet Museveni, UWESO has a long history of supporting vulnerable children, a mission that now includes digital empowerment.

Students at Migyera UWESO Secondary School test donated computers from Maticent Industries. (Courtesy photo)

“We deeply appreciate this generous partnership with Maticent Industries,” Kamuhangire said.

“We are humbled and proud that Migyera UWESO Secondary School is the first to benefit from the Bbala Initiative. This is more than a donation—it is an investment in our children’s future.”

She added that UWESO is committed to helping children embrace technology with purpose, while staying grounded in their values and academic discipline.

The donation, made under Maticent’s flagship programme, The Bbala One Student, One Computer Initiative, fulfils a pledge announced during the programme’s launch at Speke Resort Munyonyo on July 25. 

With internet penetration in Uganda at about 28% and a significant gap in access to devices, this initiative is a crucial step towards equipping students with affordable, quality computing devices.

Eragy Bashonga Alpha, the founder and CEO of Maticent Industries, praised the First Lady for her leadership as Minister of Education and UWESO patron.

“At Maticent Industries, we are committed to supporting national education goals by providing homegrown technological solutions,” he said.

“Through the Bbala Initiative, we are working to ensure that no child is left behind in the digital age—regardless of their background.”

Highlighting the design of the donated computers, Isaac Karokora, Maticent’s chief operations officer, said the Continuum All-in-One desktops were developed with Africa’s challenges in mind.

“They come with built-in SIM card slots to address unreliable Internet access, and integrated UPS systems to keep them running during frequent power outages,” Karokora explained. “They are reliable, high-performance, and affordable—perfectly suited to the local context.”

Jolly Kamugina Kamuhangire, CEO of the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (centre, in floral top), hailed Maticent Industries for its generous support, noting that through the Bbala Initiative, UWESO is working to ensure that no child is left behind in the digital age. (Courtesy photo)

Alvin Katungi, the company’s public relations officer, emphasised the transformative potential of the donation for students.

“When young people are equipped with the right tools, innovation knows no limits,” he said.

“These computers are more than machines—they are gateways for Uganda’s youth to create African solutions for African challenges.”

About Maticent Industries

Maticent Industries is a Ugandan-owned technology firm specialising in computer system design and digital solutions. The company operates under the NAICS code 541500 and is focused on local innovation, job creation, and sustainable digital transformation.

Through the Bbala Initiative, Maticent provides affordable, high-quality laptops to students and educators via a subscription-based model, while also offering tech support and digital literacy training.