#OutToLunch Universities shouldn’t be postponing exams over COVID-19 surge

By Denis Jjuuko

A friend who has been spending sleepless nights preparing for end of semester exams for her master’s degree at one of the country’s top public universities broke some sad news. The university has postponed the exams due to increased COVID-19 cases in the country. My friend has been largely studying online since the start of the semester.

The postponement of her exams, means that she will now go back to her employer and ask for the postponement of her work leave. She has no guarantee that the employer will accept because that affects all the leave days of her colleagues. Her graduation will also be postponed to a future date. It is important that our institutions of higher learning are prioritizing the health of their customers and perhaps the university is justified in postponing exams (this article was written and originally published before the current shutdown).

But we are in 2021 and a university which has been happy to teach students online can find other ways to administer exams online as well. I have friends who had been admitted to universities abroad and were due to travel. Then COVID-19 hit and changed all their plans. They didn’t go to Massachusetts to attend Harvard or California for their Stanford courses. The courses were offered online and so were exams. You perhaps saw many on your social media timelines dressed in Harvard gowns in Kampala attending their graduation ceremonies.

Many universities all over the world offer online courses regardless of COVID-19 and students have been graduating all the time. Before they graduate, the universities ensure that they have undergone some form of assessment. If you look for MBA holders in Uganda, you will find many from Edinburgh Business School. Many such MBA holders have never been anywhere near Edinburgh. Their degrees are as valid as those offered in attendance in the United Kingdom.

Many people, some students, consultants or prospective employee do exams online and pass or fail them. Parties involved in an exam agree on the time and duration of the examination. At the agreed time, the exam is sent and the student sits and answers back and emails it back in the agreed timeframe. The examiners then go and mark it and a score is awarded. If Ugandan universities fear that students will cheat if they are sent the exams, I am happy to inform them that they cheat during exams answered at their campuses, where a tough non-smiling invigilator is prancing the aisles of the room looking for who to catch with what Ugandan students call a bullet. But also, universities know about open-book exams. So, what is wrong if a student searched for some information unless if the exam is about cramming?

So how can a public university which considers itself one of the best in the country postpone exams because of COVID-19? In 2021? For graduate students? What are they teaching if they can’t deploy technology for students to do exams?

The other problem Ugandan universities are facing is in marking exams. I taught at a Ugandan university for 10 years and I decided to quit mainly because I found no more pleasure in marking exams. I was expected to sit and mark hundreds of students every end of semester. Hundreds of mid-semister assignments as well. I see lecturers who have more than 1,000 scripts to mark every semester. I always admire their skills in marking these students.

I regularly do online courses on all sort of issues including anti-corruption and field security issues. I sit in front of my computer and study and after a certain period, I do the exams. There is no human being involved. Once I get the pass mark, I am awarded a certificate and therefore qualify to do certain things. Most of these courses are more rigorous than what many masters students study in Uganda (I overheard an MBA lecturer teaching students how to calculate percentages!). So why can’t universities do some coding and come up with software that can mark exams and award scores? Face ID can be used to tell who is doing the exams to reduce cheating.

Most so-called online courses offered by Ugandan universities are held over zoom. The lecturer on the other side and students listening in and once in a while making a contribution. That is great but there should be more. Why should somebody studying online always have to rush from office at 5.00pm so that they can be somewhere like at home at 7.00pm so that they can study up to 10.00pm? Masters students should be able to do self-discovery and identify issues and find solutions. Not necessarily to cram what the professor is saying over Zoom.

The writer is a communication and visibility consultant. djjuuko@gmail.com

Tags: COVID19, Denis Jjuuko, Out to Lunch, Students in Uganda, University Graduation

Out to Lunch

#OutToLunch: How Uganda’s next president could easily reduce the housing deficit

By Denis Jjuuko It is not uncommon to find a social media post in Uganda regarding the price of land or property being shared many times. The argument is that land prices are extremely high especially around Kampala and in many major cities or towns across the country. With an ever-increasing population and poor infrastructure and services a few kilometres outside these major urban centres, it shouldn’t be entirely surprising that land is expensive. I have always given an example of Mpigi town, which is nearer to Kampala than Entebbe but a difficult place to commute due to poor infrastructure. Yet with the Entebbe expressway or even the old road, Entebbe is an easier place to access. So, land prices around Entebbe will always be high as not many people would make Mpigi their area of residence while working in Kampala. That though will change when the Kampala-Mpigi Expressway is complete. However, construction of infrastructure such as expressways in Uganda takes a very long time leading to people crowding around the urban areas where it is easier to commute to their workplaces and services such as hospitals and schools are better. This increases pressures on land for housing purposes in urban areas. And as the population grows, land, an inelastic resource becomes more expensive. Many young people end up struggling to build houses. With the current housing shortage said to be over 2.4 million units in Uganda, poor infrastructure and services and an ever increasing population, the price of land will only continue to rise unless the government does something. And that wouldn’t be nationalizing land like some people urge whenever there are delays in executing infrastructure projects or when the price of land is seen as a hindrance to young people owning houses. Government must realize that the most valuable asset the majority of Ugandans will ever own is a house. Once people own property, they wouldn’t want to create so much chaos that could lead to destruction. Empowering young people to own houses should therefore be in the government’s best interests. Since land in Uganda for housing is largely owned by private entities or communities who determine its cost without any guiding principles, government could create a land bank from which individuals could buy land or a house. How would this work? And since we are going to the polls next week, the country’s next president has his work well cut out. In urban areas like greater Kampala, government could buy large tracts of land in Mukono, Mpigi, Mityana and Luweero and demarcate it for planned housing estates similar with what private land dealers do but a bit better. Land would be divided into small pieces with architectural plans drawn by leading experts. Schools, recreation, and health facilities would be planned. The government would then sell the land at a rate lower than the private sector. Nobody would be allowed to deviate from the architectural plan. If you bought in an area with bungalow houses, you build the exact bungalow. If you bought in an area for storied villas, you build a storied villa as per the architectural plan. Each person or legally married couple would be allowed to buy only one plot and you can’t sell it to another person at any rate. If a buyer prefers to sell, he sells it back to the government at the price he bought it. This would protect the land from speculators who buy, hoard and then sell at an exorbitant price. Because the cost of building a house with a given architectural plan is easy to establish, banks would only rent a certain amount of money. Banks willing to lend the money would not give it to the individual as is usually the case, rather a prequalified construction company that can deliver the house within the established cost of building it with a capped interest rate or profit. This is how Islamic banking works and therefore not a novel idea that is difficult to implement. Should a person fail to pay, the government buys it from the bank at the set amount and then sells it to somebody else. People could pay in installments over a given period. Monthly deductions could be made to salaried workers such as civil servants interested. The government can then construct roads and expressways to those areas as many people would be living in these housing estates. Public transport, schools and health facilities would be prioritized. More young people would end up owning houses and therefore a huge stake in their country and ministry of urban planning would have something big to deliver. The price of land for housing would plummet too enabling more people to own houses. The writer is a communication and visibility consultant. djjuuko@gmail.com

January 20, 2026

Out to Lunch

#OutToLunch: Replicate innovation hubs in Kampala and refugee settlements across the country

By Denis Jjuuko Airpods in the ears. Hands busy with a smartphone. Shoulders holding a leather laptop carry bag. Legs covered in sagging pants. Torso well covered in a jumper with a hoodie. Hair spiked. Sunglasses on. It is a familiar sight at a building in Kampala where young people trying to replicate Silicon Valley converge to work on largely fintech applications. At least a floor in the building provides open spaces where these people work on their ideas while sipping iced coffees sold at a cafeteria in the corner. Walls are covered with inspiring graffiti of quotes by famous people or even bible verses. The young people are on a mission to make it big in the tech world. Those who find some breakthrough, which usually means nailing somebody willing to invest in their ideas or provide a grant, move to the office cubicles partitioned with glass, providing more inspiration to those still on the journey. These workspaces have many names. Incubation centres, ideation labs, entrepreneurial hubs, job centres. They are usually funded by development partners as a way of subsidizing the cost for these emerging entrepreneurs, developers, inventors, creators or whatever they prefer to call themselves. Perhaps having seen some impact in urban areas, these centres were replicated in many of Uganda’s refugee settlements across the country. At these centres, youthful refugees and host communities access high speed internet, get access to computers and sometimes machinery and tools that enable them to bring their ideas to life. The development partners sometimes throw in training like how to use multimedia platforms to market their businesses or find work. Small grants for groups with innovative ideas or even for those who are dedicated to their work are common. Access to high-speed internet has helped a few of them to create great products. On a visit to the Nakivale Refugee Settlement, I found an interesting group that makes guitars. They taught themselves via YouTube tutorials and they are able to market their shiny guitars to global customers through social media. They have been supported by Partnership for improving prospects for forcibly displaced persons and host communities (PROSPECTS), a project implemented by the International Labour Organization and funded by the Netherlands. It is remarkable what young people can do once they are enabled to innovate. Skilling is critical not just in vocational jobs. But also, in soft skills such as communication and digital marketing. How can they use WhatsApp Status, YouTube or TikTok to push their products out? How can they use YouTube to learn a new skill? I don’t think there is a vocational school that sets itself out there to teach making guitars but those refugees in Nakivale found a niche and made it work even though they have a long way to go. I have heard of people who taught themselves baking, weaving, and a few other things via YouTube tutorials and are now earning a living and even employing others. Once young people have access to affordable internet, many can teach themselves similar skills once they appreciate what they can do with a smartphone. Multimedia skilling programs for youth such as those offered by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF) are a good starting point. I have seen people learn making professional posters through platforms like Canva or videos using CapCut thereby joining the creator economy. I think there is a need to replicate the incubation hubs in Kampala and job centres in refugee settlements at subcounty level or even district level to start with. Here, young people would converge even if once a week to discuss with like-minded individuals, teach themselves skills and form partnerships and synergies that would enable them to scale their ideas or enterprises. Of course, regular trainings and mentorship would be important. They would be able to access high speed internet, computers or virtual reality gadgets. They would also test out their ideas and over time have access to those who may have been able to succeed. They would also provide markets to themselves. If one has mastered digital marketing, another involved in another industry would be able become their customer. We have also talked about value addition for a long time. Machinery is expensive. Knowledge is scarce. If people grow some coffee in Bukomansimbi or Budadiri and you want them to add value, a roastery can be installed at this hub where those interested can roast and package their coffee. As they grow, they would be able to scale on their own. If the hubs are somewhat working for youths in Kampala and refugee settlements, they can work too in rural communities. The writer is a communication and visibility consultant. djjuuko@gmail.com

January 20, 2026

Education

From Smartphones to Sustainable Livelihoods: Manafwa Youth Power a New Digital Future

By Sandra Nakafeero A fresh sense of purpose swept through the Manafwa District Hall as more than 100 young people gathered for the close of an intensive digital skilling programme. Phones in hand and ideas taking shape, the participants demonstrated how simple digital tools are reshaping the way young people learn, create, and earn. During the hands-on sessions, trainees explored practical skills ranging from graphic design and social media branding to virtual collaboration. Using Canva and other mobile-friendly applications, the youths learned how to develop marketing visuals, select effective colour schemes and fonts, and package messages for online audiences. For many, these skills marked their first step toward turning creativity into income. Abikala Munyanda stood out among the cohort, emerging as the overall best performer. Like many of his peers, he described the training as a confidence booster that transformed digital platforms from sources of entertainment into tools for enterprise. The training was further energized by guest facilitator and content creator Dr. Solomon Kimera, whose journey resonated strongly with the participants. A medical doctor by profession, Dr. Kimera shared how he built a massive digital following by starting small and staying consistent. “I didn’t begin with expensive equipment or a studio,” he told the youth. “I started with an ordinary smartphone and the courage to put myself out there. If you wait for everything to be perfect, you may never begin.” Today, Dr. Kimera commands an online audience of nearly 2.5 million followers on TikTok, with content that blends education and entertainment. His story underscored a key lesson of the training: innovation is less about resources and more about mindset. Addressing the participants at the closing ceremony, the Chief Administrative Officer of Manafwa District, Mr. Ssenku Kimuli Samuel, urged the youth to translate their new skills into meaningful livelihoods. “This training has equipped you with skills that are relevant to today’s economy,” Mr. Ssenku said. “You already have powerful tools in your hands, your smartphones. Use them responsibly to create value, to earn honestly, and to contribute to the development of Manafwa. The future of this district depends on how well you apply what you have learned.” He emphasized that digital skilling is no longer optional but essential for young people seeking employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in national development. The Resident District Commissioner, Hon. Saleh Kamba, commended the trainees for their commitment and encouraged them to remain innovative and disciplined as they venture into the digital space. He noted that digital literacy offers young people an opportunity to improve their livelihoods using resources they already possess. The initiative was implemented by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), in partnership with Prime Time Communications. The programme targets youths in five eastern Uganda districts—Kumi, Kapchorwa, Manafwa, Butaleja, and Kamuli—with more than 500 young people benefiting in the current rollout. Overall, nearly 1,400 youths across 13 districts in central and eastern Uganda are being equipped with practical ICT and multimedia skills. In the first quarter of 2026, the programme will extend to Butaleja and Kamuli districts, enrolling an additional 200 youths. At the conclusion of the training, three participants were recognized for outstanding performance: Abikala Munyanda as Overall Winner, Leah Edith Namono as First Runner-Up, and Derrick Kalibo as Second Runner-Up. As the youths of Manafwa step forward with newly acquired digital competencies, they carry more than certificates—they carry the potential to create jobs, grow incomes, and transform their communities. One design, one post at a time, a new digital chapter is unfolding in Manafwa District.

December 15, 2025