Victoria University VC Dr. Lawrence Muganga Renews Call for “One Laptop Per Child” Policy

Dr. Lawrence Muganga, the Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University, has once again pushed the boundaries of academic discourse by penning a compelling open letter advocating for a nationwide “One Laptop Per Child” policy in Uganda. Dr. Muganga argues that Uganda cannot achieve its ambitious goals of building a digital economy if its student population remains digitally illiterate.

“We live in a knowledge-driven world,” Muganga wrote. “By denying our students access to personal computers, we are sending them to compete in a global market with their hands tied behind their backs.” Muganga challenges traditional teaching methods, urging a total pivot toward authentic learning, where students solve real-world problems using technology rather than memorizing textbooks for exams.

The proposal calls for a public-private partnership where the government subsidizes local computer manufacturing and assembly, driving down the unit cost of laptops. Furthermore, the policy advocates for a zero-rated internet tax for educational platforms, making it affordable for rural schools to log onto global libraries.

While critics of the policy point to Uganda’s unstable rural electricity grid and the massive budget required, Muganga argues that the cost of inaction is far higher. He believes that equipping youth with digital competencies will reduce youth unemployment by allowing Ugandan students to tap into the global remote outsourcing gig economy without ever leaving their villages.