Kampala, Uganda — 23rd February 2026
In October 2025, a consortium of Ugandan and European institutions was awarded an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) grant by the European Union to implement the ODeL-UG project, “Enhancing Access and Quality of the Higher Education Landscape in Uganda through Open Distance e-Learning.”
The project is destined to strengthen Uganda’s Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) ecosystem by advancing national quality assurance standards, enhancing institutional capacity, improving digital infrastructure, and deepening cross-border academic collaboration. As higher education systems globally continue to embrace digital transformation, ODeL-UG positions Uganda to expand equitable access to flexible, high-quality learning opportunities, particularly for students in rural and underserved communities.
Members of the ODeL-UG project consortium at the kick-off meeting hosted at the RENU Office in Kololo.
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship programme supporting education, training, youth, and sport. Through its Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) action, the programme promotes institutional cooperation, quality improvement, and sustainable development in higher education systems worldwide.
The ODeL-UG project consortium comprises the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU), the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), Kabale University, Mountains of the Moon University, Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal), and Universiteit Maastricht (Netherlands).
By leveraging regulatory leadership, institutional implementation, technical expertise, and international best practices, the project underscores the power of partnership in advancing national development priorities and building a resilient, future-ready higher education system.
Promoting Standards and Institutional Capacity
At the heart of the project is the development of a National Quality Assurance Framework for ODeL programmes, which will provide structured guidance, standards, and regulatory alignment for distance and online learning in Uganda. NCHE, which is the regulator for higher education in Uganda, will lead this national-level framework development and accreditation alignment process.
RENU will serve as the lead coordinator of the project, providing overall project leadership, coordination, and technical expertise in ICT infrastructure, connectivity, and digital learning platforms. Kabale University and Mountains of the Moon University will develop and implement institutional ODeL policies and curricula for selected programmes, piloting strengthened models of digital delivery. The European partners, Universidade de Lisboa and Universiteit Maastricht, will contribute expertise in instructional design, curriculum development, digital pedagogy, quality assurance practices, and staff and student capacity building through structured knowledge exchange and mobility.
Expected Impact
The ODeL-UG project is expected to generate both immediate and long-term impact across Uganda’s higher education landscape. In the short term, the project will enhance digital skills among academic staff and students, improve Internet capacity and local area networks (LANs) in participating institutions, and strengthen institutional readiness for quality online delivery.
In the long term, the initiative will contribute to increased enrolment and inclusivity in higher education, stronger digital integration across institutions, improved national connectivity, and the establishment of a nationally endorsed quality assurance framework for ODeL. By embedding standards, strengthening governance, and investing in capacity building, the project aims to ensure that digital transformation in higher education is sustainable, inclusive, and aligned with Uganda’s broader development priorities.
Advancing European Union–Uganda Cooperation
The consortium extends its appreciation to the European Union for the support through the Erasmus+ Programme. This grant reflects the EU’s continued commitment to strengthening international academic cooperation, supporting digital transformation, and advancing inclusive access to education.
Through structured collaboration between Ugandan and European institutions, the ODeL-UG project demonstrates the value of transnational partnerships in addressing systemic challenges in higher education. By joining local context with global expertise, the project lays the groundwork for a resilient, future-ready higher education ecosystem in Uganda.
