Gov’t adopts Muganga’s ‘one‑child‑one‑gadget’ policy to bridge Uganda’s digital divide

Kampala, Uganda: The Government of Uganda has launched the ‘One Student, One Laptop’ initiative, also known as the “Bbala” scheme, a part of a bold nationwide drive to ensure every student in higher learning institutions gains personal access to digital devices.

During the unveiling at Speke Resort Munyonyo, officials made clear that the policy is inspired by the “one-child‑one‑gadget” concept first championed by education reformist Dr. Lawrence Muganga, Victoria University Vice Chancellor.

Muganga originally proposed the idea on NTV in June, urging the country to invest in locally assembled digital devices for youth to unlock Uganda’s untapped tech potential.

This initiative is a core element of the government’s broader digital transformation strategy, which targets improved ICT adoption, enhanced digital literacy, and preparing Uganda’s youth for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Under the scheme, students, lecturers, and staff from tertiary institutions will acquire high-performance laptops through a flexible subscription model.

An initial deposit of 20 percent will be required to take possession of the device, with the balance payable over two years, designed to make the technology more financially accessible. Featuring a public–private partnership, local manufacturer Maticent Industries Ltd is leading the device provision in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment and relevant departments of ICT and Education.

Speaking at the launch, State Minister Evelyn Anite hailed the initiative as transformational, noting how it resonates with President Museveni’s vision of cultivating a self-reliant digital economy. Reflecting on her own university days in 2008, Anite described the hardship of accessing overloaded computer labs and expressed hope that the Bbala program would eliminate such inequities.

Minister Anite also reaffirmed the importance of backing homegrown technology, reminding the public that locally manufactured gadgets offer direct access to support and servicing—unlike imports. She praised Maticent’s contribution to job creation, revealing the firm had already employed over 100 Ugandans at its assembly facility in Kololo. The government’s full support was reiterated, with assurances of supportive policy and quality assurance mechanisms.

Maticent CEO Eragy Bashonga Arapha said the Bbala initiative sits squarely within Uganda’s national digital transformation agenda. He revealed plans for a new mass-manufacturing facility capable of producing 25,000 laptops per month and explained that devices will be distributed only after verifying students’ enrolment status.

Arapha further emphasised that Maticent, also registered in several African markets such as the DRC, is deploying satellite and data centre infrastructure to support regional tech growth, framing the initiative as a continental model for African-owned innovation.

At Victoria University, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Augustine Ifelebugu says greater access to ICT devices is reshaping academic delivery as well as national equity. He pointed out that the Bbala program paves the way for improved blended learning, enabling students in distant regions like Gulu and Soroti to partake in real-time instruction, including advanced pedagogy like augmented reality.

The adoption of Prof. Muganga’s “one‑child‑one‑gadget” proposal into national policy marks a pivotal moment in bridging Uganda’s digital divide. It affirms that a youth‑centred, tech‑led transformation is no longer a distant vision but an institutional reality, poised to build a more informed, digitally fluent generation and empower Uganda’s future workforce with world‑class competencies.