The Ministry of Education and Sports has issued a directive banning the use of handheld mobile devices such as phones and tablets by learners on school premises.
This decision, announced by the Ministry's spokesperson, Dr. Dennis Mugimba, responds to growing public concerns over the introduction of mobile digital devices in basic and secondary schools.
The ban will remain in effect until the Ministry finalizes the development of policy standards and guidelines that will govern the use of digital tools and technologies in schools.
Dr. Mugimba emphasized that the forthcoming guidelines will clearly outline the roles and expectations of all stakeholders, including schools, teachers, learners, parents, internet service providers, and digital device providers.
In the meantime, the Ministry encourages the use of school desktops and laptops within computer laboratories under a common-user facility arrangement, which is designed to prevent placing an undue financial burden on parents who might otherwise feel compelled to provide expensive mobile devices for their children.
Additionally, the Ministry has instructed all accounting officers in educational institutions—from pre-primary schools to universities—to ensure that the internet provided on school grounds is secure and does not expose learners to unacceptable content, such as pornography, gambling, and criminal websites.
This directive aligns with existing Ugandan laws, particularly the Computer Misuse Act of 2011.
The Ministry's decision is part of a broader initiative under the Digital Agenda Strategy, launched on August 22, 2024, to increase the utilization of electronic tools and technologies in delivering quality education and managing sports in a safe and phased approach.
