A joint monitoring and evaluation delegation from Mastercard Foundation and Cyber School Technology Solutions was at Nkumba University to assess the progress and impact of the ongoing digital learning supported through the Cyber School – Mastercard Foundation Uganda eLearning Initiative.
The monitoring exercise, conducted at the university’s main campus, focused on key thematic areas including institutional eLearning capacity strengthening, digital infrastructure, curriculum integration, digital inclusion, monitoring and evaluation, and communication strategies.
Welcoming the delegation, Nkumba University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jude Lubega commended the partnership for its continued support of the institution’s eLearning agenda. “We are grateful for this collaboration, which has significantly strengthened our eLearning department and positioned the university to better respond to the evolving demands of digital education,” he said.
The Cyber School Team Lead, John Mukiibi, thanked the university for its commitment, describing it as a reliable partner. However, he underscored the need for critical reflection. “While notable strides have been made, it is important that we identify and address bottlenecks that may be hindering the full success of eLearning implementation,” he said.
Discussions during the meeting drew participation from various stakeholders, with Cyber School’s Julius Opio noting that although lecturers had been trained to champion eLearning among peers, the expected multiplier effect was yet to be fully realized. “Lecturers trained as ToTs have done a lot, but the multiple effects have not been realized,” he observed.
On the university’s efforts, the Academic Registrar, Dr. Frank Pio Kiyingi highlighted initiatives undertaken to promote digital learning. “We have put in effort to popularize eLearning among students. We have also developed a course to support this transition,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Anne Abaho pointed to the need to integrate Google Meet into the LMS since it is popular among teaching staff. “Integrating Google Meet into the Learning Management System may help in tracking those teaching online but not accounted for in the Learning Management System. It is user-friendly, and the majority of lecturers are using it,” she said.
However, the eLearning Officer, Joseph Lwevuze, raised concerns about technical limitations. “The free version of Google Meet lacks a recording feature, which presents a challenge in archiving lectures, for the benefit of students who could have missed a lecture,” he noted.
In response, a representative from the Mastercard Foundation, Agrey, emphasized the broader benefits of integration. “Let’s integrate Google Meet into the LMS regardless of recording limitations. It helps track whether lectures are scheduled and conducted,” he advised.
The meeting also revealed a mismatch between high enrolment and low completion rates in free digital courses, prompting calls for increased awareness.
Nkumab University Kampala Campus Director, Dr. Bbosa Sulaiman, stressed the importance of advocacy. “Lecturers and student champions need to spread the gospel. Awareness creation must be prioritized if we are to improve course completion rates,” he said.
Participants further called for a robust communication strategy, including timely reminders and sustained engagement with both students and instructors to enhance participation and accountability.
The delegation also noted infrastructural challenges, particularly that the university’s Learning Management System is locally hosted, leading to downtime during power outages. Additionally, gaps in ICT proficiency among some lecturers were identified as a barrier to effective utilization of digital tools.
Nkumba University is among seven higher institutions of learning in Uganda benefiting from the Cyber School–Mastercard Foundation eLearning Initiative. The program has supported the construction of a state-of-the-art eLearning studio, the provision of assistive digital devices for students with disabilities, and capacity building for lecturers.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to expand access to inclusive, technology-driven education in Uganda, a push that has gained momentum in recent years, particularly following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed gaps in digital learning preparedness across the education sector.
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