Govt moves to introduce inclusive AI curriculum for learners
Dr Kitoogo noted that the curriculum is designed with the life challenges many Ugandans face, including economic hardship, poverty and high youth unemployment.
Some of the students and officials after the function. (Credit: Jovita Mirembe)
The government will soon introduce an inclusive Artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum aimed at improving personalised learning for students with diverse needs, according to Dr Fredrick Edward Kitoogo, principal of the Uganda Institute of ICT (UICT).
He said the curriculum will enable learners to use AI to create localised and culturally relevant content that reflects Ugandan realities, while helping them develop skills for solving local problems in areas such as agriculture and healthcare.
Dr Kitoogo noted that the curriculum is designed with the life challenges many Ugandans face, including economic hardship, poverty and high youth unemployment.
It will also support improved teaching methods through AI-powered tools, promote blended learning and reduce the gap between those who can access and effectively use digital technologies and those who cannot, ensuring equitable access for all learners, including those with disabilities.
Kitoogo added that the government is working towards establishing functional innovation hubs in all regions of the country by 2027, a key element of Uganda's Digital Transformation Roadmap for the 2023/24 to 2027/28 financial years.
"This initiative falls under Pillar 5 of the roadmap, which focuses on Innovations and Entrepreneurship, intending to commercialise local innovations and establish local ICT businesses nationwide," he said.
Kitoogo delivered a keynote address on National Direction on AI Digital Skills and Inclusion during the Annual Disability Lecture 2025 at Makerere University Business School (MUBS), held under the theme "AI for Tomorrow: Empowering students for the future workforce" on November 14, 2025. (Credit: Jovita Mirembe)
Kitoogo delivered a keynote address on National Direction on AI Digital Skills and Inclusion during the Annual Disability Lecture 2025 at Makerere University Business School (MUBS), held under the theme "AI for Tomorrow: Empowering students for the future workforce" on November 14, 2025.
The lecture aimed to create an inclusive platform that helps participants understand the importance of AI for academic success, personal development and career readiness.
Gorretti Byomire, director of the MUBS Disability Resource and Learning Centre, said that within the next five years, anyone who has not embraced the use of AI may struggle to find employment because of the rapid advancement of AI across the world.
She stressed that students with disabilities need greater access to inclusive technologies and more training in AI, as these tools will prepare them for a future in which AI will influence every job, profession and opportunity.
Deputy principal of MUBS, Associate Professor Racheal Mindra, said the AI curriculum is not limited to universities, although current implementation is still at an early stage and mainly focused on higher education.
She explained that experts are advocating for the integration of AI concepts from primary school level in order to build a future workforce equipped with AI skills.
Mindra emphasised that the curriculum will introduce AI in age-appropriate ways to ensure students gain foundational understanding while addressing challenges such as disparities in digital infrastructure.
The lecture was attended by students with and without disabilities, industry practitioners, policymakers and other stakeholders interested in AI, technology and innovation in education and employment.