An assessment of e-learning utilization by a section of Ugandan universities: challenges, success factors and way forward

Existing and emerging e-learning technologies are having intense, immediate, and disruptive transformations on education systems (Archer, Garrison & Anderson, 2008). The rise of e-learning technologies in all sectors of education is responsible for the accelerated global competition (Daniel, 2000), increase in the quality of learning experiences (Garrison, 2002), removal of situational barriers and cost effectiveness. This paper is intended to make an assessment of e-learning adoption and utilization in Ugandan institutions of higher learning. A comprehensive literature review on e-learning adoption and utilization in institutions of higher learning was conducted which facilitated an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the technology. The study adopted a cross sectional qualitative research method to select out the institutions to study. Questionnaires were used to collect data and the findings were authenticated by literature. The Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was used to assess the adoption of e-learning in Ugandan institutions of higher learning (universities). From the assessment of the challenges and success factors, we propose new variables of financial budgeting, training and performance evaluation as additions to the UTAUT model to guide full scale utilization and optimization of e-learning.