By Mulengera Reporters
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has launched a major procurement drive to equip 50 secondary schools with grid-powered ICT laboratories as part of efforts to expand digital learning and access to technology in schools.
The project is being implemented through the Universal Service Access Fund (USAF), with UCC inviting eligible companies to bid for the supply, delivery and installation of the laboratories.
The procurement, issued under reference UCC/SUPLS/26-27/00008, was published on October 6, 2026.
The 50 schools have been divided into three lots, comprising 17 schools under Lot One, 15 under Lot Two and 18 under Lot Three.
UCC opens bidding for ICT project
The procurement will be conducted under the Open Domestic Bidding procedure in accordance with Uganda’s Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, Cap. 205, as amended.
Interested bidders must obtain the bidding documents from UCC upon payment of a non-refundable Shs100,000 fee.
They have until 10:00 a.m. on October 26, 2026, to submit their bids.
A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for October 14 at 11:00 a.m., with UCC indicating that the Microsoft Teams link will be shared with companies that express interest in the tender.
Bidders required to provide security
Companies bidding for the project will also be required to provide bid securities depending on the lot they are targeting.
For Lot One, covering 17 grid-powered laboratories, bidders must provide a Shs18 million bid security.
For Lot Two, covering 15 schools, the required security is Shs16 million, while bidders for Lot Three, covering 18 schools, must provide a Shs19 million bid security.
The securities must remain valid until March 26, 2027.
UCC under the leadership of George William Nyombi Thembo will also allow electronic bidding, with bidders permitted to submit electronic copies through email, although late submissions will be rejected.
Project targets digital learning
The installation of the ICT laboratories is expected to strengthen access to computers and digital learning facilities in secondary schools, particularly in areas where students may have limited access to technology.
The initiative is being funded through USAF, a mechanism established to support the expansion of communications services and digital access to communities and institutions that remain underserved.
According to UCC’s procurement schedule, evaluation of the bids will run from October 27 to November 13, 2026.
The best evaluated bidder will subsequently be communicated in accordance with the procurement process, while contract signing will take place after the required statutory waiting period and Attorney General’s approval.
The bids will be opened at 10:15 a.m. on October 26 at the UCC meeting room at its headquarters on Spring Road, Bugolobi, Kampala.
The project comes alongside other UCC initiatives targeting digital inclusion, including a separate procurement for 3,600 tablet devices for unserved and underserved households in 19 districts. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
