Central region, Uganda
Donum Centre: 1,000 free computers near Makerere University
A free place next to Makerere University with 1,000 computers, fast internet, a library, labs and studios, open late every day and all night for 150 seats.
Planned project
This is a project we plan to build. None of the approvals it needs has been granted yet. Each one is listed below with its status, and nothing that needs an approval starts until it is granted.
Within walking distance of Makerere University, Kampala: Kikoni, Makerere, Wandegeya or close by. The plot is not yet bought.
$2.40
Cost of an hour at a computer
if half the hours are used
4.5 million
Seat-hours open a year
720 open-floor computers; 150 all night
about 7,200
Regular members it can serve
three two-hour sessions a week each
$2.5 million
Endowment for every $100,000 a year
invested and never spent, at 4%
To build
$42,259,000
once
Its share of the Donum Endowment
$135,075,000
$5,403,000 a year to run, divided by 4%
A cash reserve
$2,701,500
In all
$180,035,500
opens October 2030 (planned)
$0 of $180,035,500
Pledge to this project Read the whole plan
If a project cannot go ahead, because an approval it needs is refused or its building has not begun within five years, everyone who gave to it is offered their money back or a move to another planned project.
The case in brief
- What it is. A free place next to Makerere University with 1,000 computers, fast internet, power that stays on, a library, labs, studios and rooms for founders, open late every day and all night for 150 seats.
- Why it is needed. In 2021, 2.7% of households in Uganda had a computer; in a survey of Makerere students, 93% named the cost of internet as a barrier to learning online; 42.6% of young people aged 15 to 24 are not in work, education or training (all sourced below).
- Why it costs what it costs. Two buildings that last, on one acre near a university where land is dear; 1,000 computers replaced on a cycle; staff on every floor until 23:00 and all night; and an endowment, because hubs that depended on donors closed in their dozens.
- What one year buys. $5.40 million a year keeps about 4.5 million seat-hours open; if half are used, that is about $2.40 an hour of a computer, a connection, power and help, for about 7,200 regular members.
Read more: how we worked out what one year buys
Seats. The two open floors have 720 computers: 570 open during the day and evening, and 150 in the section that stays open all night. The 240 computers in the six teaching rooms and the 40 in the exam room are on top of these and are not counted here.
Hours. The floors are open 108 hours a week (7:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 21:00 on Sunday); the all-night section 168. That is about 4.5 million seat-hours a year.
Use. We plan on half of them being used (2.3 million hours), which gives $2.40 an hour of running cost, everything included. At 6 hours a week each (three two-hour sessions), that is about 7,200 regular members, beside school days, courses, talks and events. These are our planning assumptions; the centre publishes its real use every year.
Who is near. Makerere alone has about 35,000 undergraduates and 3,874 postgraduates, and the centre is open to anyone 16 or older, students or not.
When it happens
Opens October 2030 (planned).
- Preparation
- The land
- Design and approvals
- The builder
- Both buildings
- Power, solar and network
- Computers and furniture
- Doors open
Read more: approvals and stages
Approvals
| Approval | From whom | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land title registered in Donum Foundation's name | Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development | Not yet granted | |
| Confirmation that a centre and offices are allowed on the plot | Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) | Not yet granted | |
| Environmental review cleared | National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) | Not yet granted | |
| Building plan and structure approval | Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) | Not yet granted | |
| Fire safety approval | Uganda Police Fire and Rescue Services | Not yet granted | |
| Occupation permit | Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) | Not yet granted | |
| Registration as a data controller, for members' details | Personal Data Protection Office | Not yet granted |
Its stages
- Preparation. Done means: The plot is chosen and its five checks are clear, KCCA has confirmed a centre and offices are allowed there, the money for land, design and approvals (about $4.8 million) is in hand, and the endowment's investment policy is written.
- The land. Done means: The title is registered in Donum Foundation's name, and the empty site is fenced and guarded.
- Design and approvals. Done means: Drawings approved by KCCA, and the environmental review cleared by NEMA.
- The builder. Done means: Quotes from checked builders; one chosen on a fixed price and the reason written down; all the set-up money in hand. The chosen quote replaces these estimates on this page.
- Both buildings. Done means: Structure, roof, finishes, lifts, plumbing, electrics and air conditioning done, inspected and signed off.
- Power, solar and network. Done means: Grid connection, generators, solar, batteries, backup power and data cabling working and tested.
- Computers and furniture. Done means: Every computer, desk, book and piece of equipment in place and checked against the list.
- Doors open. Done means: The team hired and trained, the endowment and the reserve in hand (or only the floors they can pay for open), and the doors open.
What it costs, and why
Running this place costs $5,403,000 a year. At 4% a year, that needs $135,075,000 invested in the Donum Endowment, which is never spent: only its returns pay the running costs, every year.
Every part
None yet. Choose All to see everything.
Land $1,196,000 · still needs $1,196,000 · Planned
-
One acre within walking distance of Makerere University, at UGX 40 million a decimal
$1,096,000 · still needs $1,096,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Listings near Makerere, 2024 to 2026: UGX 23.4 to 36.0 million a decimal
Can start before approvals
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Stamp duty on the transfer, budgeted at 3%
$33,000 · still needs $33,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 1.5% today (Ministry of Lands, 2025); 3% proposed in 2026, until a lawyer confirms which applies
Can start before approvals
-
Lawyer, title search, survey, boundary opening, valuation
$22,000 · still needs $22,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance: 2% of the price
Can start before approvals
-
Fence and guards for the empty site, 12 months
$45,000 · still needs $45,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
Can start before approvals
-
Design and approvals $3,626,000 · still needs $3,626,000 · Planned
-
Architect, quantity surveyor, structural and services engineers
$2,508,000 · still needs $2,508,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 14% of the building contract. Architects' scale 3% to 7%; engineers' scale about 2% each
Can start before approvals
-
A project manager who works for Donum
$358,000 · still needs $358,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 2%, engineers' scale
Can start before approvals
-
VAT on these fees (18%)
$516,000 · still needs $516,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 18%
Can start before approvals
-
Surveys and studies: land, soil, water, traffic, environment
$179,000 · still needs $179,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance: 1% of the building contract
Can start before approvals
-
NEMA environmental review fee
$13,000 · still needs $13,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 0.07% of the project's value (S.I. 143 of 2020)
Can start before approvals
-
KCCA plan, structure and occupation fees
$2,000 · still needs $2,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: KCCA fees
Can start before approvals
-
An independent audit of cost and quality, for givers
$50,000 · still needs $50,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
The centre: five floors $12,800,000 · still needs $12,800,000 · Planned
-
Ground floor (1,280 m2): entrance, help desk, 500 lockers, auditorium for 300, exam room, cafe, server room, prayer room, nursing room, first aid
$2,560,000 · still needs $2,560,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 1,280 m2 at $2,000 a m2: AECOM's Kampala office rate ($1,420, July 2024) raised 41% for the labs, studios, cooling and power
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First floor (1,280 m2): makerspace, electronics lab, video and podcast studios, 12 founders' rooms, pitch room, 8 meeting rooms
$2,560,000 · still needs $2,560,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 1,280 m2 at $2,000 a m2
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Second floor (1,280 m2): open floor for 360 computers
$2,560,000 · still needs $2,560,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 1,280 m2 at $2,000 a m2
-
Third floor (1,280 m2): open floor for 360 computers, 150 seats open all night
$2,560,000 · still needs $2,560,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 1,280 m2 at $2,000 a m2
-
Fourth floor and roof (1,280 m2): six teaching rooms, reading room, research room, roof plant
$2,560,000 · still needs $2,560,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 1,280 m2 at $2,000 a m2
-
Donum's offices: three floors $1,920,000 · still needs $1,920,000 · Planned
-
Offices, ground floor (400 m2): reception, training room for partners, meeting rooms, a private room
$640,000 · still needs $640,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 400 m2 at $1,600 a m2: AECOM's rate raised 13% for price rises since 2024
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Offices, first floor (400 m2): Donum's team, the Executive director's office, finance, records room
$640,000 · still needs $640,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 400 m2 at $1,600 a m2
-
Offices, second floor (400 m2): the centre's managers and staff, board room, kitchen
$640,000 · still needs $640,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 400 m2 at $1,600 a m2
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Outside works, power and data $9,590,000 · still needs $9,590,000 · Planned
-
Wall and gates, gatehouse, paving and parking, drainage, rainwater tanks, planting, lighting
$750,000 · still needs $750,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Power connection and transformer
$120,000 · still needs $120,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance until UEDCL quotes
-
Two 500 kVA standby generators, fuel tank and changeover
$190,000 · still needs $190,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: A 500 kVA generator is listed at UGX 195 million, plus installation
-
Solar panels on the roofs, 200 kWp
$200,000 · still needs $200,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 200 kWp at $1,000 a kWp; allowance
-
Solar roofs over the car park, 150 kWp
$240,000 · still needs $240,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 150 kWp at $1,600 a kWp; allowance
-
Batteries, 600 kWh
$270,000 · still needs $270,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 600 kWh at $450 a kWh; allowance
-
Backup power (UPS) for the computer floors and server room
$250,000 · still needs $250,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Data cabling: 1,500 points
$450,000 · still needs $450,000 · Planned
$300 a data point, 1,500 needed
How we reached this figure: $300 a point; $175 to $500 installed in the US (2026)
-
Server room: cooling, fire suppression, raised floor, racks
$180,000 · still needs $180,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Auditorium: 300 raked seats, acoustics, stage, lighting
$305,000 · still needs $305,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Sound-proofing for the video and podcast rooms
$60,000 · still needs $60,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Security: cameras, entry gates, member cards, alarms
$180,000 · still needs $180,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Contingency on the building, 15%
$2,687,000 · still needs $2,687,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: For what the ground and the design reveal
-
VAT on the building contract (18%)
$3,708,000 · still needs $3,708,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 18%
-
Computers and network $4,665,000 · still needs $4,665,000 · Planned
-
300 iMacs (24-inch, 24 GB memory, 512 GB storage)
$840,000 · still needs $840,000 · Planned
$2,800 an iMac, 300 needed
How we reached this figure: $2,800 each landed: $2,099 in the US (October 2026) plus freight, VAT and levies
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660 Windows desktops (Core Ultra 7, 32 GB, 1 TB)
$1,584,000 · still needs $1,584,000 · Planned
$2,400 a desktop, 660 needed
How we reached this figure: $2,400 each landed: about $1,800 in US shops (2026)
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40 graphics workstations (RTX PRO 4000) for engineering, 3D design and AI
$480,000 · still needs $480,000 · Planned
$12,000 a workstation, 40 needed
How we reached this figure: $12,000 each landed: Dell's list price $9,424 (2026)
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700 monitors, 27-inch
$315,000 · still needs $315,000 · Planned
$450 a monitor, 700 needed
How we reached this figure: $450 each landed: $289 in US shops (2026)
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1,000 headsets and 700 webcams
$145,000 · still needs $145,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Printers and scanning stations
$40,000 · still needs $40,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Network: 32 switches, 2 core switches, 100 Wi-Fi 7 points, 2 firewalls, racks
$276,000 · still needs $276,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Ubiquiti and Fortinet prices, 2026
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Servers for the centre's own systems, 500 TB storage, backup
$250,000 · still needs $250,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Two research servers with 8 RTX PRO 6000 cards each
$500,000 · still needs $500,000 · Planned
$250,000 a research server, 2 needed
How we reached this figure: About $15,000 a card in 2026, plus the server around them
-
Spare computers (3%)
$75,000 · still needs $75,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Booking, sign-in, library and device-management systems, set up
$60,000 · still needs $60,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Laptops for 55 staff
$100,000 · still needs $100,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Furniture, books and equipment $2,382,000 · still needs $2,382,000 · Planned
-
1,000 desks and chairs for the computer seats
$550,000 · still needs $550,000 · Planned
$550 a desk and chair, 1,000 needed
How we reached this figure: $550 each; allowance
-
Reading room: 100 seats, quiet booths, shelves
$90,000 · still needs $90,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
4,000 textbooks and technical books
$240,000 · still needs $240,000 · Planned
$60 a book, 4,000 needed
How we reached this figure: $60 each; allowance
-
Library gates and book labels
$30,000 · still needs $30,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Team, meeting and research rooms: tables, chairs, boards, screens
$125,000 · still needs $125,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Projectors and screens for six teaching rooms
$24,000 · still needs $24,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Auditorium sound, screen, cameras, recording, hearing loop
$250,000 · still needs $250,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Video and podcast studio equipment
$90,000 · still needs $90,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Makerspace and electronics lab
$190,000 · still needs $190,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance. One 3D printer with a laser costs $3,499 (2026)
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Exam room: partitions, lockers, security kit
$25,000 · still needs $25,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
500 lockers for members
$60,000 · still needs $60,000 · Planned
$120 a locker, 500 needed
How we reached this figure: $120 each; allowance
-
Cafe and break area: furniture and kitchen
$100,000 · still needs $100,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Office furniture: 80 desks, board room, meeting rooms, training room
$167,000 · still needs $167,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Signs, including tactile and Braille signs
$50,000 · still needs $50,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
One van
$55,000 · still needs $55,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Contingency on furniture and equipment, 5%
$336,000 · still needs $336,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: 5%
-
Price rises over the four years $5,249,000 · still needs $5,249,000 · Planned
-
Building and fees: 5% a year, to the middle of construction
$4,365,000 · still needs $4,365,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Three years at 5% on $27,692,000 (one more year than before, for the preparation year)
-
Equipment: 3% a year, bought in year four
$884,000 · still needs $884,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Four years at 3% on $7,047,000
-
Before opening $831,000 · still needs $831,000 · Planned
-
Donum's lead for the project, for the four years
$160,000 · still needs $160,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance: $40,000 a year
Can start before approvals
-
Staff hired before opening, about four months of pay
$217,000 · still needs $217,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: From the running budget
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Fibre connection charges, two providers
$30,000 · still needs $30,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Three months of testing: power, internet, security, cleaning, insurance
$304,000 · still needs $304,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: A quarter of a year's running cost for these
-
Lawyers and auditors during the four years
$80,000 · still needs $80,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance: $20,000 a year
Can start before approvals
-
Opening: visits to schools, colleges and neighbours, printed guides
$40,000 · still needs $40,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: Allowance
-
Keeping it running: its share of the Donum Endowment $135,075,000 · still needs $135,075,000 · Planned
-
People, for good: paid every year from the endowment's returns
$16,900,000 · still needs $16,900,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: $676,000 a year divided by 4%
-
Security and cleaning, for good: paid every year from the endowment's returns
$8,975,000 · still needs $8,975,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: $359,000 a year divided by 4%
-
Power, water and internet, for good: paid every year from the endowment's returns
$19,275,000 · still needs $19,275,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: $771,000 a year divided by 4%
-
Software and courses, for good: paid every year from the endowment's returns
$19,450,000 · still needs $19,450,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: $778,000 a year divided by 4%
-
Building upkeep, for good: paid every year from the endowment's returns
$13,050,000 · still needs $13,050,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: $522,000 a year divided by 4%
-
Replacing equipment, for good: paid every year from the endowment's returns
$34,450,000 · still needs $34,450,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: $1,378,000 a year divided by 4%
-
Insurance, for good: paid every year from the endowment's returns
$2,500,000 · still needs $2,500,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: $100,000 a year divided by 4%
-
Programmes, for good: paid every year from the endowment's returns
$5,250,000 · still needs $5,250,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: $210,000 a year divided by 4%
-
Administration, for good: paid every year from the endowment's returns
$2,950,000 · still needs $2,950,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: $118,000 a year divided by 4%
-
Contingency, for good: paid every year from the endowment's returns
$12,275,000 · still needs $12,275,000 · Planned
How we reached this figure: $491,000 a year divided by 4%
-
The cash reserve $2,701,500 · still needs $2,701,500 · Planned
-
Six months of running costs, kept in cash and short-term government bonds
$2,701,500 · still needs $2,701,500 · Planned
$450,250 a month of running costs, 6 needed
How we reached this figure: Pays the gap if markets fall hard in the first years, so that no floor has to close
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Read more: running costs, line by line
| Running cost | A year |
|---|---|
| People: 49 staff, with NSSF, medical cover and training | $676,000 |
| Security and cleaning: 20 guards and 20 cleaners from licensed companies, supplies | $359,000 |
| Power, water and internet: about 1,340 MWh bought, 1.5 Gbps from two providers | $771,000 |
| Software and courses: 500 paid course seats, Office, Adobe, Autodesk, MATLAB, device management, databases | $778,000 |
| Building upkeep: 3% a year of the buildings' cost | $522,000 |
| Replacing equipment: computers every 4 years, servers every 5, furniture every 10 | $1,378,000 |
| Insurance: buildings, equipment, liability, theft | $100,000 |
| Programmes: hackathons, demo days, talks, makerspace materials, printing, books, school transport | $210,000 |
| Administration: audit, lawyers, supplies, phones, van, rates if the exemption is refused | $118,000 |
| Contingency: 10% of the running costs | $491,000 |
| Total | $5,403,000 |
These are estimates, in 2026 prices. Before anything is bought, a quote from a builder or seller we checked replaces each one, and this page shows the change.
Who runs it, who pays, and who else is there
Read more: keeping it running
Donum Foundation owns the land and both buildings. Every running cost of both buildings (49 staff, security, cleaning, power, internet, software, courses, upkeep, replacing equipment, insurance, programmes and administration, about $5.4 million a year at October 2026 prices) is paid from the returns of its share of the Donum Endowment, at 4% a year of its average value over the last 12 quarters. The endowment is kept and invested apart from Donum's other money, under a written investment policy, and its results are published every year. A cash reserve of six months of running costs pays the gap if markets fall. No income is counted. Donum's own team is paid from the endowment's share for Donum Foundation's own running costs, not from Donum Centre's share.
Running it costs $5,403,000 a year, paid from the returns of its share of the Donum Endowment.
Questions people ask
Why build, and not rent a floor somewhere?
Rent is paid every year and leaves nothing; a building Donum owns lasts decades and is kept in repair from the endowment. Owning also lets the centre run all night, power its own floors and design for disabled people from the start.
Why does it cost so much to run?
The largest line is replacing equipment ($1,378,000 a year): computers every four years, servers every five, furniture every ten. Then software and courses, power and two internet links, and 49 staff. A centre that cannot replace its computers is a museum in five years.
Why an endowment of this size?
Because the centre is free and must stay open. At 4%, $5.40 million a year needs $135.07 million invested. Hubs that depended on donors closed: in 2019, 60% of African hubs relied on donors or sponsors and more than 110 had shut down (AfriLabs, 2019).
Why not charge members?
A fee keeps out exactly the people the centre is for. Nothing is sold to members and no seat is kept for someone who pays.
Why next to Makerere and not elsewhere?
New companies gather around research universities, and that is where students, lecturers and researchers already are. The centre is open to refugees with a refugee ID and to anyone 16 or older.
Why put Donum's offices there?
They are Donum's headquarters and are part of the budget. Donum Centre's share of the endowment pays to run both buildings; Donum's own team is paid from the share for Donum Foundation's own running costs, not from Donum Centre's share.
What if technology changes?
The replacement budget is spent on what members need at the time, not on the same machines again.
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