Introduction
The Distance Learning Department (DLD) formerly Global Distance Learning Centre (GDLC) is a department of Uganda Management Institute (UMI). The GDLC was established in June 2000 to improve the cost-effectiveness of capacity building efforts in public, private and NGO sectors in Uganda.   It is both a service and training department.  The department is a node within the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) of Distance Learning Centres (DLCs) with multimedia learning environments that have full voice, video and data connectivity to each other worldwide. Its total membership is in excess of 120 Centres in nearly 80 different countries around the world. The Centres make up the World Bank’s supported Global Distance Learning Network (GDLN). Within the GDLN, 14 of the Centres are located in Africa.   The 14 Centres, including Uganda DLC, formed a network known as the Association of African Distance Learning Centres (AADLC) that at times collectively bargains for business worldwide for its members. 

The GDLC was initially set up to test the effectiveness and sustainability of a distance learning centre (as part of a global sharing programme) in supporting capacity building programmes for the public and private sector in Uganda – to enable people learn in their home environments without costly travel or work disruptions.  Indeed, since the opening of the Centre hundreds of distance learning programmes sourced through the World Bank Institute have been conducted at the Centre.  From its inception, the Centre has mainly conducted courses, dialogues, meetings, conferences, workshops, etc. through the video conference, face-to-face, skype and teleconferencing modes.

The Centre has a multimedia laboratory  that has full voice, video and data connectivity to other sites. The computer labs are also equipped with 35 flat screen computers with 24 hours high speed internet connectivity. The computer lab has a sitting capacity of 50 persons.  The labs are available for hire at very competitive rates to the public.

There is also a video conference hall with a sitting capacity of 60 persons.  The video conference hall allows video connectivity on a bandwidth of 512kps up and 512kps down.  The bandwidth can be increased on demand.  The video conferencing facility can be hired out to the public at equally very affordable rates.  Organizations and individuals can utilize the video conferencing facility capable of connecting Uganda to other countries for meetings, workshops, thesis defence, international job interviews, etc. at affordable rates that cut out travel and other related costs abroad.

The Centre has a staff strength of six persons available to provide you with a customer friendly atmosphere to facilitate learning.

The Centre also runs e-learning courses in collaboration with other partners like Gatlin of France; GAPSET of USA, OTE academy of Greece, Tokyo DLC, Kenya DLC and Tanzania DLC. The Centre also facilitates regional e-learning programmes (short courses) to Kenya DLC, Tanzania DLC and Madagascar DLC.

Mandate
To provide and coordinate distance learning programmes and learning support services to improve the management capacity of public, private and NGO sectors.

Objectives of the Department

• Strengthen capacity in critical management and technical fields to lead to the achievement of the Government’s goal of eradicating poverty and promoting development.

• Develop partnership through exchange of experience and knowledge between Uganda’s development community and decision makers in various countries.

•  Form strategic alliances with partners (Government Ministries and NGO sectors, donors, training institutions, ICT providers and civil society) to share training content, transform the content into learning products and deliver it through video conferencing, net conferencing, web-based and CD-ROM methods to in-country, regional and international audiences.

• Reach wider audiences, offer content from a wider range of services and reach a critical mass of participants through e-learning.

• Enable public, private and NGO sector officers to hold meetings through video conferencing locally, regionally and internationally.