KOICA’s $12.2 Million Grant Powers New ODeL Masterplan And State-Of-The-Art Facility Set For Completion By September 2027
Makerere University has taken a landmark step in its digital education transformation, launching the foundation works for a new Open, Distance and E-Learning (ODeL) studio and multipurpose building, while simultaneously unveiling a comprehensive ODeL Masterplan — both made possible through a generous $12.2 million grant from the Republic of Korea through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
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The ceremony, held at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), was presided over by KOICA Uganda Country Director Ms. Jihee Ahn, and brought together university leadership, Korean partners, construction teams, and academic staff to mark what officials described as a new chapter in the history of Uganda’s oldest and most prestigious university.
The centrepiece of the announcement is a $3.7 million state-of-the-art ODeL building — a dedicated facility that will house e-learning studios, multipurpose learning spaces, and the infrastructure needed to deliver high-quality open and distance education at scale. Construction is being handled by SMS Construction Ltd, with design and supervision by ArchForum Consultants Ltd. The project is expected to be completed by September 29, 2027 — a 22-month timeline from groundbreaking.
The building is part of a broader three-component project. The first component is the development of the ODeL Masterplan, providing a strategic framework for how Makerere will deliver and expand distance education going forward. The second is the enhancement of e-learning infrastructure, including the new building and the equipment and tools that will be installed within it. The third is capacity building — equipping academic staff with the skills to develop high-quality ODeL content and integrate digital technology effectively into their teaching methodologies.
The implementing partners from Korea include the Korea National Open University (KNOU) and the Korea Institute of Development Strategy (KDS), both of which have shared technical expertise throughout the project’s development.
KOICA Country Director Ms. Jihee Ahn set the tone for the occasion by invoking both an African proverb and a Korean saying to frame the significance of the partnership. “A single stick cannot make fire — what we witness today is what can be achieved when we put our many hands together with a shared purpose and vision,” she said. “In Korea, they have a saying that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. With today as just the beginning, I believe that this very step will become the foundation of a much greater journey — one that will lead Makerere University to become a leading institution in East Africa and across Africa in the delivery of high quality open distance education.”
Representing Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara, Mr. Silas Ngabirano described the project as going far beyond the provision of technology. “It is about enhancing capacity for our students, faculty and staff. It is about bridging the digital gap between traditional teaching methods and modern learning needs, making university education more accessible and affordable for many who cannot currently access Makerere University. It is about innovation, creativity and lifelong learning,” he said, urging staff and students to embrace the opportunities that online distance learning presents.
Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Sarah Ssali, representing Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, connected the initiative directly to Uganda’s national development agenda. She noted that e-learning is a key pillar in Makerere’s Strategic Plan 2026-2030, and that Chapter 15 of the National Development Plan IV explicitly emphasises digital transformation by 2030. “Now that ODeL is getting a home, there is no excuse for not delivering,” she said, relaying Prof. Nawangwe’s message. The Vice Chancellor also expressed gratitude to the Republic of Korea, describing the trust of the Korean people in Makerere as a testament to the university’s reputation as a centre of academic excellence.
Principal Investigator Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, who welcomed guests and explained the project’s scope, acknowledged the consultative process through which the ODeL Masterplan was developed — involving extensive engagement with staff and close collaboration with project consultants. He extended appreciation to Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Venny Nakazibwe, and the broader implementation team including Prof. Paul Muyinda and Dr. Godfrey Mayende from the Institute of Open Distance and E-Learning, Mr. Samuel Mugabi and Mr. Alex Mwebaza from the Directorate of ICT Support, and Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere and Dr. Lydia Mazzi Ndandiko from CEDAT.
He also noted that the original project scope — initially planned to cover only CEDAT — was expanded by KOICA’s Country Director to cover the entire university, a decision that significantly amplifies the project’s potential reach and impact.
For Ugandan students — particularly those outside Kampala, those managing work and family alongside their studies, and those who have historically been unable to access Makerere’s programmes due to distance or cost — this development carries direct and meaningful implications.
A fully resourced ODeL facility, backed by a strategic masterplan and staffed by academics trained in digital content development, means that Makerere’s programmes will increasingly be accessible to students who do not need to be physically present on campus to benefit from them. It means that the reach of Uganda’s premier public university can extend far beyond its Kampala gates — into the regions, into the diaspora, and potentially across borders.
Prof. Ssali captured the ambition plainly: ODeL provides opportunities for potential students inside and outside the country to engage in learning, access cutting-edge research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. With a dedicated building, a masterplan, and $12.2 million in Korean support behind it, that ambition now has a foundation — literally and figuratively.
