Phase II of national digital learning project takes off in Bukedea

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Uganda’s primary education system is set for another boost following the official start of Phase II of the Digitally Enabled Community-Centred Early Childhood Development Approach (DECEDA) project, an initiative driving digital innovation in learning.

The project, implemented by Nkumba University with support from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, is a five-year effort that has already reached more than 30 primary schools across the country during its first year.

The launch took place in Bukedea district on October 21, 2025, and was officiated by the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among.

Phase II marks a major milestone in the project’s journey, shifting focus from foundational training to developing digital content, delivering live lessons, and strengthening peer-to-peer teacher support where teachers mentor one another to confidently use digital platforms and resources in classrooms.

Speaking during the handover of digital learning equipment at Kachumbala Primary School in Bukedea district, Speaker Among commended Nkumba University, UCC, and the partnering ministries for their commitment to expanding access to quality digital education.

“Digital learning is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity,” said Among. “I commend UCC and Nkumba University for bringing technology closer to our children, especially in rural communities. I call upon the government and our partners to ensure that every Ugandan learner, regardless of location, benefits from this innovation.”

The launch followed a recent monitoring and evaluation exercise conducted by the DECEDA team across 31 primary schools in five regions: Western, West Nile, Northern, Central, and Eastern Uganda. Each region had an anchor school that hosted live digital lessons streamed to other participating schools:

Mbarara Junior School (Western); Arua Hill Primary School (West Nile); Adyel Primary School (Northern);

Gombe Kayunga Primary School (Central) and North Road Primary School (Eastern)

The findings showed remarkable progress. Most schools had fully functional digital devices, regularly used to deliver lessons. Teachers demonstrated increasing confidence in using multimedia tools such as YouTube and interactive content to enhance learning experiences.

In eastern Uganda, Butiru Demonstration School stood out for its creativity, where its teacher uses live YouTube videos to teach science topics like volatility, helping learners visualise complex concepts. His innovation has boosted engagement and even attracted new learners to the school after the community learned about its new ICT facilities.



The peer-learning framework, one of DECEDA’s strongest pillars, has also flourished. At Mbarara Junior School, a mathematics teacher who did not attend the initial training confidently delivered an online lesson during the monitoring visit thanks to mentorship from trained colleagues. Similarly, at Adyel Primary School in Lira District, teachers who were not part of the first training phase successfully conducted live lessons after learning from peers.

Teachers further highlighted the relevance of the DECEDA Learning Management System (LMS) in maintaining teaching continuity during the ongoing industrial action. The platform has enabled them to upload notes, share assignments, and engage learners remotely.

According to Professor Jude Lubega, the vice chancellor and DECEDA project lead at Nkumba University, the second phase will deepen the integration of digital learning, enhance teacher collaboration, and expand the project’s reach to more schools across Uganda.

“What we are witnessing is not just a project, but a movement, teachers empowering teachers and learners embracing technology,” Dr Drake Mirembe noted. “With continued government support, Uganda is on track to build a digitally competent teaching force and a more inclusive education system.”

The event in Bukedea, crowned with the delivery of digital equipment to Kachumbala Primary School, symbolised both progress and the government’s continued commitment to bridging the digital divide in education.

As DECEDA enters its second year of implementation, it stands as a model for collaborative innovation, showcasing how partnerships between government, academia, and local communities can transform the future of learning in Uganda.

The Digitally Enabled Community-Centred Early Childhood Development Approach (DECEDA) is a five-year project implemented by Nkumba University with financial support from the UCC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports, and in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. The initiative promotes digital learning in primary schools by providing infrastructure, training teachers, developing local digital content, and strengthening peer mentorship frameworks.