Uganda is entering another national examination season, with learners, teachers, and parents focused on preparing candidates for success. The country's growing internet access is changing how Ugandans learn, communicate, and access information. According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Uganda had 20.5 million smartphones and 19.7 million mobile internet subscriptions by June 2026.
The UCC has established 520 ICT laboratories in public secondary schools and tertiary institutions and provided subsidized high-speed internet to 400 schools over the past five years. Through its partnership with UNICEF Uganda, the Airtel Africa Foundation has also connected 500 schools to fast internet, expanding access to digital learning. This growing connectivity is transforming learning, with data usage per customer increasing by 21% to 7.2GB in the first half of 2026.
The internet provides new opportunities for learners preparing for PLE, UCE, or UACE to revise past papers, access lessons on demand, watch demonstrations, and practice independently. Teachers and parents can also share additional learning materials beyond the classroom. This is especially relevant as Uganda implements competency-based education, which emphasizes applying knowledge and skills rather than simply recalling information.
Technology can support continuous learning by allowing students to revisit lessons, complete exercises, and receive additional guidance outside school hours. The internet is not a substitute for teachers but a tool that strengthens teaching and learning. Technology may also help address challenges faced by learners who are unable to attend examinations due to exceptional circumstances.
Thousands of candidates miss exams annually, representing a lost opportunity that deserves attention. Uganda already gained valuable experience during the COVID-19 pandemic when universities, including Makerere University, successfully conducted online teaching and examinations. This experience can inform the development of digital assessment models.
Any digital assessment model would need robust safeguards to ensure fairness, credibility, security, and equitable access. However, it is a conversation worth exploring as Uganda pursues its development goals and prepares young people for a changing economy. The future of education is not a choice between classrooms and technology, but rather how to effectively integrate both.
As Uganda becomes more connected, teachers will remain at the center of learning, but the internet can provide both teachers and learners with more tools, greater flexibility, and better opportunities to succeed. The country's education sector can benefit from technology, but it requires careful planning and implementation to ensure that it supports learning outcomes.
Key points
- The Uganda Communications Commission has established 520 ICT laboratories in public secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
- The internet provides new opportunities for learners to revise past papers, access lessons on demand, and practice independently.
- Uganda's growing internet access is transforming learning, with 20.5 million smartphones and 19.7 million mobile internet subscriptions.
