By Frank Kamuntu | Mr Swift
Victoria University Vice Chancellor Dr Lawrence Muganga has called on the government to introduce a nationwide “One Laptop Per Child” policy, warning that Uganda risks falling behind in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) revolution if learners are not equipped with the tools needed to compete in the emerging digital economy.
Addressing the university’s 10th graduation ceremony at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Monday, October 19, 2026, Muganga urged the government to provide every learner from Primary Five through university, including those in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), with access to a laptop.
Speaking through the Chancellor, Muganga argued that AI is already transforming education, business and employment, making digital readiness essential for Uganda’s ambition to expand its economy.
“Uganda is our ship. Africa is our ship. It has struck an iceberg. And the iceberg has a name. Artificial Intelligence,” he said, drawing parallels between the current technological revolution and the Industrial Revolution.
He warned that countries and institutions that delay adopting new technologies risk losing opportunities to those willing to embrace change early.
Muganga linked the call to Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, which targets a $500 billion economy by 2040, arguing that achieving the ambition will require a substantial increase in national productivity.
“There is only one way to grow 10 times. Every Ugandan must become 10 times more productive,” he said, urging policymakers, parents, universities and employers to prepare young people for a technology-driven world.
He proposed solar-powered laptops for learners in areas without reliable electricity and highlighted the potential of satellite internet to expand connectivity in underserved communities.
“This is not a dream. This is a decision,” Muganga said, challenging the government to turn its digital ambitions into practical action.
The Vice Chancellor used Victoria University’s growth and graduate employment figures to demonstrate how the institution is responding to changing demands in the workplace.
According to Muganga, 89 per cent of the graduates were leaving university with jobs or placements, compared with 87.2 per cent in the previous year.
He also disclosed that 53 per cent of the graduating class had pursued science-related disciplines, describing the figure as part of the university’s response to the national demand for more scientists and technically skilled professionals.
However, he emphasised that arts graduates remain equally important to national development, arguing that Uganda needs complementary skills across different disciplines to sustain economic growth.
Another major highlight was the university’s emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence into teaching and learning.
Muganga said every programme at Victoria University, including law, business, nursing and hospitality, had an AI-driven curriculum, adding that graduates had been exposed to AI tools during their studies.
He challenged other universities to reconsider traditional teaching methods and focus not merely on preparing students to pass examinations, but on equipping them with practical skills to thrive in the changing employment landscape.
“Not ready to pass. Ready to live,” he said, emphasising the need for education that responds to real-world demands.
Muganga also announced that Victoria University would begin construction of a new campus in Naguru, Kampala, in January 2027. The planned development will include a state-of-the-art teaching hospital to support the institution’s new medical school.
He said the expansion was intended to accommodate the university’s growing student population and strengthen its capacity to deliver education suited to the AI age.
The 10th graduation ceremony brought together university leaders, government representatives, employers, parents and graduates to celebrate the institution’s achievements and reflect on the future of higher education in Uganda.