DECEDA

We cannot thank you enough for choosing to take the 365-day journey with us and for standing by us, even through moments of turbulence. As we set our sights on making 2026 even better, we pause to wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. May 2026 be filled with growth, opportunity, and splendid moments. Happy New Year 2026. #DECEDA | #ICT4Primary

Merry Christmas from all us here at #DECEDA. May peace, love and joy locate you. #ICT4Primary

DECEDA M&E Team Tours Central Region Schools, Identifies eLearning Bottlenecks and Solutions The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team at the Digitally Enabled Community-Centred Early Childhood Development Approach (DECEDA) project has completed a series of school visits across the Central Region, engaging teachers in candid discussions on challenges affecting digital teaching and learning, and jointly identifying practical solutions to improve school performance. The team began its field engagements with a visit to Nalinnya Lwantale Primary School in Luweero District, where teachers welcomed the opportunity to openly share their day-to-day realities in the classroom. Discussions centred on eLearning conditions, teacher support and learner engagement, with both sides agreeing on context-based interventions aimed at improving outcomes. “These conversations allow us to understand what teachers are facing on the ground and to co-create solutions that actually work in their school context." Said Mr. Joseph Lwevuze, DECEDA M&E Team Lead. From Luweero, the team proceeded to St Yowaana Maria Muzeeyi Primary School in Wakiso District, the anchor school for the Central Region. Teachers here described the pressure of managing elearning in resource-constrained environments, while also highlighting areas where digital and community-centred approaches have begun to make a difference. “When we are involved in identifying solutions, implementation becomes easier because the ideas reflect our real needs.” a teacher at the school said. The monitoring exercise continued in Mpigi District at St Agnes Ggooli Girls Primary School, where the team was joined by Mr Isaac Ssentongo, a teacher at Nkumba Primary School. Teachers engaged in reflective discussions on instructional challenges and learner support, agreeing on strategies to strengthen classroom practice and the overall learning environment. Similar engagements were held at Kanoni UMEA Primary School in Gomba District and St Noa Memorial Primary School in Mityana District. In both schools, teachers openly discussed constraints affecting performance, including teaching resources and learner participation, while welcoming the collaborative approach adopted by the DECEDA team. “The strength of this programme is that it listens to teachers instead of prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions,” Mr Ssentongo observed during the Gomba visit. The monitoring tour concluded in Mukono District at St Beatrice Buwava Primary School, where teachers described the DECEDA engagement as timely and empowering. Practical action points were jointly developed to enhance learning conditions and improve overall school performance. DECEDA officials said the visits were critical in assessing implementation progress while reinforcing the project’s core principle of community-centred and teacher-driven solutions. The findings from the monitoring exercise will inform the next phase of project support across participating schools. This is #DECEDA | #ICT4Primary powered by the Uganda Communications Commission through the Uganda Communications Commission Universal Service and Access Fund-UCUSAF.

During the DECEDA dissemination workshop held today at Nkumba University, stakeholders hailed the Digitally Enabled Community-Centered Early-Childhood Development Approach (@ICT4Primary) and called for a scale-up of digital learning in primary schools. Details; news.nkumbauniversity.ac.ug/stakeholders-h…

1/4 During the DECEDA dissemination workshop held today at Nkumba University, stakeholders hailed the Digitally Enabled Community-Centered Early-Childhood Development Approach (@ICT4Primary) and called for a scale-up of digital learning in primary schools. #ICT4Primary | #I_Owe_You

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).

1/3 Since Mid this year, we have been working closely with @UCC_Official & partners through the @ICT4Primary project to build eLearning capacity of teachers from 32 selected primary schools across the country.

Our Monitoring and Evaluation team spent a significant part of the day constructively engaging the teaching staff at Nkumba Primary School in Wakiso District. The engagement focused on collaboratively identifying more appropriate and effective ways of boosting and strengthening teaching and learning outcomes through technology. As a monitoring and evaluation strategy, we are leaving no stone unturned. This is #DECEDA | #ICT4Primary, powered by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through the Uganda Communications Commission Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).

Video: Highlights from our just concluded Monitoring and Evaluation visits across selected primary schools nationwide. This is #DECEDA | #ICT4Primary, powered by the Uganda Communications Commission through the Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that the Digitally Enabled Community-Centered Early-Childhood Development Approach (DECEDA) remains responsive to the evolving digital needs of targeted primary schools, our Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team has, since last week, been conducting comprehensive inspection visits to beneficiary institutions. The schools visited so far include Bujaga Integrated Primary School (Rwampara District), Mbarara Junior School, Kaberebere Town School (Isingiro District), Rwabutura Primary School (Sheema District), Nebbi Primary School (Nebbi District), Ayavu Primary School (Madi Okollo District), Arua Hill Primary School (Arua City), Dranya Primary School (Koboko District), Oluvu Primary School (Maracha District), and Aliwang Primary School (Otuke District). During each visit, the team engaged in in-depth discussions with the teaching staff, who openly shared the technical and operational challenges they continue to face as they adjust to integrating e-learning tools into their daily teaching practices. Their feedback is invaluable, offering a clear picture of the on-ground realities in rural and peri-urban learning environments. “Digital inclusion is not just about providing tools; it is about understanding the context in which those tools must work,” Mr. Joseph Lwevuze, one of the M&E team members noted, underscoring the importance of continuous dialogue with the teachers. The insights obtained from these Monitoring and Evaluation visits will play a crucial role in shaping DECEDA’s next phase of implementation, ensuring that interventions remain practical, adaptable, and aligned with the real needs of the schools and the communities they serve. This is #DECEDA | #ICT4Primary powered by Uganda Communications Commission through the Uganda Communications Commission Universal Service and Access Fund -UCUSAF.

Earlier today at Itojo Central Primary School in Ntungamo District, we attentively listened to submissions from the teaching staff. Through collaborative dialogue, we continue to identify practical solutions to the challenges surrounding digital learning in rural communities, ensuring that no child is left behind. This is #DECEDA | #ICT4Primary, powered by the Uganda Communications Commission through the Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).

Phase 2 of the Monitoring and Evaluation exercise commenced today at Ssanga Parents School in Kiruhura District. During the visit, the DECEDA team engaged with the teachers, who openly shared the challenges they are facing. Together, we discussed and identified practical solutions aimed at improving the school’s learning environment and overall performance. The findings and the M&E report will guide the implementation of targeted interventions to address these challenges. This is #DECEDA | #ICT4Primary, powered by the Uganda Communications Commission through the Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).

UCC Board Members' Monitoring visit at Mbarara Junior School. This is #DECEDA | #ICT4Primary, powered by @UCC_Official through UCUSAF.

Earlier on, we engaged officials from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Board and the UCUSAF Monitoring and Evaluation team at Mbarara Junior Primary School during a monitoring visit to UCUSAF-supported projects, where we fall. The UCC delegation expressed satisfaction with the remarkable progress and the impact of the project in enhancing digital teaching and learning across 32 public primary schools in Uganda. Commending the initiative, the Director of UCUSAF described DECEDA as “good work being piloted”, and underscored the need for continued teacher skilling to maximize the effective use of digital tools in classrooms. This is #DECEDA | #ICT4Primary powered by @UCC_Official through UCUSAF. #DECEDA | #I_Owe_You

We are at Mbarara Junior School preparing to recieve @UCC_Official s for an engagement on the #ICT4Primary roll out. The venue is fully set, and necessary arrangements are in place to ensure smooth and productive deliberations. This is #DECEDA | #ICT4Primary powered by @UCC_Official through UCUSAF.

What we saw during our monitoring and evaluation visits. #DECEDA | #ICT4 Primary powered by @UCC_Official through UCUSAF.

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 Voices

#DECEDA Voices

#DECEDA Voices