Makerere University is seeking at least 18,000 computers and revitalized computer laboratories to fix the current deficit and facilitate effective teaching and learning through the blended e-learning programme. The call was made by Prof Mukadasi Buyinza, the acting Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic affairs, during a ceremony at the university in Kampala. The event marked the handover of 40 computers and 10 projectors donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prof Buyinza highlighted the stark contrast between the university’s population approximately 37,000 students and 1,500 academic staff and the limited number of computers available. “Only about half of our students own personal computers,” he said. “This leaves a significant number, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, without access to essential digital tools. We need well-equipped laboratories where these students can work and learn effectively.” The university plans to use the additional computers to expand access to its Open Distance E-learning (ODEL) platform, allowing students to engage with learning materials remotely, a system that has become increasingly vital since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The recently donated equipment will primarily benefit the College of Business and Management Sciences (COBAMS), where lecturers from various departments will receive the computers and projectors to aid in instruction and research. Prof Buyinza reiterated the university’s vision of becoming a research-led institution, but admitted that more support is needed. “To achieve this, we require significant investment in infrastructure, including both hardware and software,” he noted. “Our goal is to be an inclusive institution that caters to all learners regardless of their economic background.” He said the university envisions a “Makerere 5.0” a digitally empowered institution with cutting-edge teaching aids and facilities that align with modern e-learning pedagogy. Representing the donor organisation, Mr Christophe Gerard Giraud, General Authority Seventy of the Africa Central Area Presidency, said the church is committed to promoting quality education in the communities it serves. “We believe that by supporting education, we contribute directly to community development,” Mr Giraud said. He also pledged continued collaboration with Makerere to help it realise its ambition of becoming a global leader in research and academic excellence.
Source of donation
Mr Ambrose Silva Kilama,stake president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Uganda, explained that the donations were made possible through members’ tithe and fasting contributions. “When we visited Makerere, we identified wounds,” he said. “We are now here to help dress those wounds. We value education deeply, and this donation marks the beginning of a lasting partnership with the university.” In addition to the IT equipment, the church has also promised to provide free driving lessons to marketing students, an initiative aimed at equipping them with practical, job-relevant skills. COBAMS principal, Prof Edward Bbaale, welcomed the donation but said the need remains overwhelming. With a student population of approximately 6,000, he noted that the college’s existing computer labs are under-equipped, with many machines outdated or nonfunctional.
“We urgently need more computers and a complete renovation of both undergraduate and graduate laboratories,” he said. “The government must consider increasing the university’s funding to help resolve these challenges.” Prof Bbaale emphasised that the university is embracing digital learning, and traditional paper-based instruction is quickly becoming obsolete. “All our academic staff are encouraged to integrate ICT tools into their teaching. We have invested in training our faculty to use modern technologies effectively,” he said. “These computers and projectors will be used for teaching, training, and conducting research.”
Digital-paced world
Mr Anthony Tibaingana, a lecturer in the department of Marketing and Management, was instrumental in securing the donation. He explained that after highlighting the department’s technology gaps to the church, they responded positively. “This support is going to transform how we deliver services to students,” Mr Tibaingana said. “The world has gone digital, and our students must adapt. Marketing today is no longer about going door-to-door, it is about leveraging digital platforms to reach global audiences.” He added that since the onset of blended learning post-COVID-19, computer access has become a necessity, not a luxury. “We cannot deliver virtual lessons effectively if we don’t have the necessary digital infrastructure,” he stressed. As Makerere pushes forward with its digital transformation, university leaders and stakeholders agree: meaningful investment in ICT infrastructure is no longer optional, it is essential for the future of learning.