Carolyn Vunia

[DECEDA @ICT4Primary]

Stakeholders Hail DECEDA, Call for Scale-Up of Digital Learning in Primary Schools

Today16 December 2025, Nkumba University hosted the dissemination workshop for the Digitally Enabled Community-Centered Early-Childhood Development Approach (DECEDA) project, with stakeholders calling for the scaling up of technology-driven learning in primary schools across the country.

The workshop, held at the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom, brought together officials from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the university management, implementing teams, partner schools, and district representatives to review project outcomes, share lessons, and chart the way forward.

In his opening remarks, Prof Jude Lubega the Nkumba University Vice Chancellor who also doubles as the DECEDA Project Lead emphasized that DECEDA was designed to prove that effective, technology-enabled primary education is possible, even in disadvantaged settings.

“We wanted to prove a concept,” Prof Lubega said. “That there can be free primary education offered in a very effective way virtually, where children can be taught by the best teachers in the country, regardless of where they are.”

He noted that the project had demonstrated the power of digital platforms to connect learners to quality teaching across distances. “A learner in one location can be taught by a teacher from a top school with full engagement and interactivity. That is the beauty of technology,” he said.

Prof Lubega congratulated the implementing team for successfully proving that the concept works and urged partners to support the next phase. “What we now need is a scale-up. Many schools are already using technology and interfacing with us from wherever they are, which means continuity is very possible. With the support of our partners, we can do even better,” he said, thanking UCC for the guidance and support.

Representing UCC, the DECEDA Grant Supervisor, Madam Carol Vunia noted that the project was part of the Commission’s mandate to promote equitable access to quality digital services with a strong focus on underserved communities.

“This grant was designed to go beyond providing digital learning devices,” Ms Vunia said. “It means ensuring that digital infrastructure, teacher capacity, locally relevant content and sustainable delivery models come together to improve learning outcomes.”

She expounded that the project had three interlinked objectives: strengthening access to digital learning opportunities in primary schools facing high pupil–teacher ratios and low ICT penetration; building teachers’ capacity to confidently use digital tools, pedagogy, and curriculum-aligned content; and generating evidence and scalable models to inform policy and future digital education interventions.

“This is not just about funding activities, but about investing in systems, skills and partnerships that can endure beyond the life of the grant,” she said. “DECEDA directly advances universal access and promotes effective use of digital technologies through close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Curriculum Development Centre and academic institutions.”

Ms Vunia commended Nkumba University and partners for their role, adding that UCC looks forward to future interventions.

During the technical presentations, participants were briefed on the project’s implementation across the country, which covered 33 selected schools drawn from five districts representing all five regions.

The dissemination workshop concluded with discussions on lessons learnt, sustainability, and preparations for scaling up the model to benefit more primary schools nationwide.

Nkumba University spear headed the project implementation with funding from the Uganda Communications Commission through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).

[UCC @UCC_Official]

WATCH: James Beronda - @jberonda, Director, #UCUSAF | @UCC_Official.

He explains the heart of the #eBooster initiative and why Cohort 2 matters. Breaking down how the programme supports local solutions, guiding them through mentorship, incubation and grants so they can reach unserved and underserved communities.
#DigitalUganda | @bbossa | @ConsumerUCC
@UCC_ED

[DECEDA @ICT4Primary]

Speaker @AnitahAmong Launches DECEDA Project, Urges Locals to Embrace Digital Learning

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, has officially launched the Digitally Enabled Early Childhood Community Centered Development Approach (DECEDA) Project at Kachumbala Primary School in Bukedea District, calling on teachers and learners to fully embrace digital learning as a pathway to bridging Uganda’s education gap.

Speaking during the launch, Rt. Hon. Among lauded the Uganda Communications Commission (@UCC_Official), the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), and Nkumba University for their innovation and partnership in rolling out the project.

She noted that digital education plays a critical role in improving learning outcomes and equipping learners with the skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven world.

“We must invest in digital education if we are to give our children an equal chance to compete globally,” she said, reaffirming Parliament’s commitment to supporting education and technology-driven initiatives.

#DECEDA | #ICT4Primary is powered by @UCC_Official through UCUSAF.

[DECEDA @ICT4Primary]

Ms. @CarolVunia, the Manager- Technical Monitoring @UCC_Official joined us at Arua Hill Primary School, where she addressed pupils in person at the school and virtually to learners from five other participating schools.

[DECEDA @ICT4Primary]

Virtual Classrooms Take Root as Primary Pupils Learn Across Regions

The push to integrate digital learning in Uganda’s primary schools is gaining traction as pupils from different regions join live lessons under the Digitally Enabled Community-Centered Early-Childhood Development Approach (DECEDA) project.

At Mbarara Junior School, the first live classroom test brought together learners from Western, West Nile, and Central Uganda, who all followed the same lesson in real-time through the project’s eLearning platform.

Mr. Moses Nuwamanya, an English teacher at Mbarara Junior School, led the inaugural session for Primary Six, teaching the topic Hotels under the subtopic Speeches. “It was exciting to see pupils in distant regions following and interacting with the same lesson as those physically in my class,” Mr. Nuwamanya said. Adding that,“This is the future of learning, breaking barriers of distance and access.”

The second live session, also streamed from Mbarara Junior School, focused on Primary Five Science. Mrs. Rudia Ahuura, who conducted the class, tackled the topic Food and Nutrition with a focus on Food for Vulnerable People. “Through this platform, learners are not just consuming content but engaging with it,” Mrs. Ahuura noted. “It’s encouraging to see them participate actively despite being miles away.”

Project coordinators say the lessons are part of ongoing tests aimed at refining the virtual learning model for early and primary education. "We are learning what works best from classroom setup to internet stability, so that digital lessons can become a reliable and inclusive part of our education system,” said Mr. Joseph Lwevuze, the project's Digital Pedagogy Expert.

The DECEDA project, being implemented by Nkumba University with funding from Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through Uganda Communications Commission Universal services and Access Fund aims to bridge learning gaps and enhance early childhood education through technology-driven approaches.

[Nkumba University News @NkumbaUni_News]

. @ICT4Primary Concludes Digital Content Development Workshop for Primary School Teachers
Details: https://t.co/OdORX0QCgY

| @Nash_Onji
#NkumbaNews #NkumbaUpdates
CC. @UCC_ED @UCC_Official @MoICT_Ug

[Nkumba University @NkumbaUni]

@judlub @UCC_Official @Educ_SportsUg @NCDCUg 10/10
Closing the workshop, Carolyn Vuni, from @UCC_Official said, “Digital education is no longer optional. It is the bridge that will ensure that no child is left behind.”

Supported by @UCC_Official through UCUSAF #DECEDA will continue to build Uganda’s digital learning space.

[GOLDSERVE @GoldServe_]

Big wins in Kabale! The ICT and multimedia skilling program was a game-changer, empowering the youth with tools to shine in the digital world. Check out this quick highlight reel to see their learning and impact. Thank you @UCC_Official for helping us make this impact possible—here’s to creating brighter futures together! #ICTMultimediaTraining

[ICT4farmers @ict4farmers]

In Terego, 103 farmers, including 62 youth, participated in the final day of our training. Carol Vunia from @UCC_Official encouraged them to apply and share their new digital skills to improve their lives. @UCC_ED @ConsumerUCC

[UCC @UCC_Official]

𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:
@UCC_Official seeks to recruit qualified individuals for the following positions. Details on the job descriptions & specifications can be found on: https://t.co/deL2c7nCDs
Deadline: 26th Sept, 2024.
@UCC_ED @ConsumerUCC @UgCERT @MoICT_Ug

[UCC @UCC_Official]

UPDATE: #UCUSAF stakeholder engagement activities continued in Mbale yesterday with a sensitisation workshop for teachers.

Ongoing workshops are part of a partnership with @Educ_SportsUg to integrate #ICTs in education through promotion of #ICT clubs & digital science content, among other initiatives.
@UCC_ED
@ConsumerUCC
@MoICT_Ug

[Irene Kaggwa @Kinem4P]

These days, irrespective of your level of education, there is nothing like "I have completed studies". Life long learning is a must. We need to keep upskilling to remain relevant. Be it in our fields/professions, other disciplines or in soft skills. There are online resources

[Carolyn Vunia @CarolVunia]

@EriMoze @housingfinanceU Welcome to HFB and if you don’t open ticket and follow closely, they will not put it back

[Hope Bizimana @Hope_Biz]

This is Eng Paul Tumwine the Project Manager of Karuma project that was handed over to Operation team today. He is my hero of the day. Made us proud.@UegclOfficial
@UEGCL_CEO

[UEGCL @UegclOfficial]

Breaking News!!

Certificate of Completion issued for the Karuma HPP (600 MW).

Today, the Minister of State for Energy - @HonOkaasai handed over the Certificate of Completion to the contractor - Sinohydro, marking a major milestone in Uganda's transformative energy journey.

[UCC @UCC_Official]

The eastern region school ICT clubs competition on Friday saw 3 schools tussling it out for prizes. Iganga Girls SS emerged winner, followed by Jinja College & PMM Girls. The regional challenge will climax in the national edition as part of @KYU_NCC2023 at @kyambogou on 4th Oct.

[Hon. Nyombi Thembo @UCC_ED]

Uganda's film industry is blazing serious! Ms. Rachael Nduhukire is 1 of 10 finalists of the African Monologue Challenge but she needs our support to become the African ambassador. Let us vote now. Tell a friend, relative, neighbour, workmate, everybody
https://t.co/Tf5F30EpQb

[UCC @UCC_Official]

Through this project implemented by UCUSAF, Government seeks to establish the extent to which access & usage of ICTs can complement other initiatives in eradicating household poverty.

https://t.co/dM4Yvyjuhh

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant. I need to be very clear: vaccines alone will not get any country out of this crisis.
It’s not vaccines instead of masks, distancing, ventilation or hand hygiene.
Do it all. Do it consistently. Do it well.

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

A second dose of Pfizer or Moderna can be used after a first dose of AstraZeneca in some situations. #COVID19