This study evaluates a multi-partner digital skilling model aimed at enhancing digital inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Uganda. Despite policy commitments, PWDs face persistent barriers to digital access, including affordability, low digital literacy, and limited accessibility features. To address these challenges, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), through UCUSAF, partnered with NUDIPU and Eight Tech Consults Ltd to implement the ICT4PWDs program. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study assessed the reach, accessibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of Year 1 implementation across 28 districts. A total of 1,010 participants primarily those with visual and hearing impairments were trained, with a 96.1% completion rate and 971 certifications issued. Post-training assessments revealed significant gains in digital competence, with “Very Confident” ratings tripling and “Poor” ratings dropping by 94%. Accessibility enablers such as sign language interpretation, screen readers, and trainers with lived disability experience were instrumental to success. Regional participation was highest in Eastern Uganda (32.3%), followed by Central (24.7%). Key challenges included limited device access, short training duration, and infrastructure gaps. Overall, the findings affirm that multi-stakeholder partnerships can deliver inclusive and scalable digital literacy programs for PWDs, supporting Uganda’s commitments under the UNCRPD and the SDGs. The study recommends strengthening policy frameworks, securing sustainable funding, and fostering continued collaboration among government, civil society, and private sector actors to ensure lasting impact.
| Published in | American Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology (Volume 10, Issue 4) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.17 |
| Page(s) | 220-234 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Digital Inclusion, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Uganda, Multi-stakeholder Partnerships, ICT4PWDs Program, Mixed-methods Evaluation, Assistive Technologies, Digital Literacy Training
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APA Style
Nambogo, F., Mirembe, D. P., Lubega, J., Beronda, J. (2025). Evaluating a Multi-Partner Digital Skilling Model for Persons with Disabilities in Uganda. American Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology, 10(4), 220-234. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.17
ACS Style
Nambogo, F.; Mirembe, D. P.; Lubega, J.; Beronda, J. Evaluating a Multi-Partner Digital Skilling Model for Persons with Disabilities in Uganda. Am. J. Sci. Eng. Technol. 2025, 10(4), 220-234. doi: 10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.17
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Download@article{10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.17,
author = {Fiona Nambogo and Drake Patrick Mirembe and Jude Lubega and James Beronda},
title = {Evaluating a Multi-Partner Digital Skilling Model for Persons with Disabilities in Uganda},
journal = {American Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology},
volume = {10},
number = {4},
pages = {220-234},
doi = {10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.17},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.17},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajset.20251004.17},
abstract = {This study evaluates a multi-partner digital skilling model aimed at enhancing digital inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Uganda. Despite policy commitments, PWDs face persistent barriers to digital access, including affordability, low digital literacy, and limited accessibility features. To address these challenges, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), through UCUSAF, partnered with NUDIPU and Eight Tech Consults Ltd to implement the ICT4PWDs program. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study assessed the reach, accessibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of Year 1 implementation across 28 districts. A total of 1,010 participants primarily those with visual and hearing impairments were trained, with a 96.1% completion rate and 971 certifications issued. Post-training assessments revealed significant gains in digital competence, with “Very Confident” ratings tripling and “Poor” ratings dropping by 94%. Accessibility enablers such as sign language interpretation, screen readers, and trainers with lived disability experience were instrumental to success. Regional participation was highest in Eastern Uganda (32.3%), followed by Central (24.7%). Key challenges included limited device access, short training duration, and infrastructure gaps. Overall, the findings affirm that multi-stakeholder partnerships can deliver inclusive and scalable digital literacy programs for PWDs, supporting Uganda’s commitments under the UNCRPD and the SDGs. The study recommends strengthening policy frameworks, securing sustainable funding, and fostering continued collaboration among government, civil society, and private sector actors to ensure lasting impact.},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - Evaluating a Multi-Partner Digital Skilling Model for Persons with Disabilities in Uganda AU - Fiona Nambogo AU - Drake Patrick Mirembe AU - Jude Lubega AU - James Beronda Y1 - 2025/12/30 PY - 2025 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.17 DO - 10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.17 T2 - American Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology JF - American Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology JO - American Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology SP - 220 EP - 234 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2578-8353 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.17 AB - This study evaluates a multi-partner digital skilling model aimed at enhancing digital inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Uganda. Despite policy commitments, PWDs face persistent barriers to digital access, including affordability, low digital literacy, and limited accessibility features. To address these challenges, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), through UCUSAF, partnered with NUDIPU and Eight Tech Consults Ltd to implement the ICT4PWDs program. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study assessed the reach, accessibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of Year 1 implementation across 28 districts. A total of 1,010 participants primarily those with visual and hearing impairments were trained, with a 96.1% completion rate and 971 certifications issued. Post-training assessments revealed significant gains in digital competence, with “Very Confident” ratings tripling and “Poor” ratings dropping by 94%. Accessibility enablers such as sign language interpretation, screen readers, and trainers with lived disability experience were instrumental to success. Regional participation was highest in Eastern Uganda (32.3%), followed by Central (24.7%). Key challenges included limited device access, short training duration, and infrastructure gaps. Overall, the findings affirm that multi-stakeholder partnerships can deliver inclusive and scalable digital literacy programs for PWDs, supporting Uganda’s commitments under the UNCRPD and the SDGs. The study recommends strengthening policy frameworks, securing sustainable funding, and fostering continued collaboration among government, civil society, and private sector actors to ensure lasting impact. VL - 10 IS - 4 ER -
School of Business Administration, Nkumba University, Entebbe, Uganda
College of Computing and Information Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
School of Computing and Informatics, Nkumba University, Entebbe, Uganda
Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund, Uganda Communications Commission, Kampala, Uganda
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