St. Charles Lwanga SS Zorooma ICT Club Launch Kanungu

In a continued and determined effort to promote digital transformation across Uganda’s secondary schools, St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School – Zoroma, nestled in Kanungu District, officially launched its ICT Club on June 10, 2025. This pivotal event, meticulously organized by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) in close collaboration with Kisubi Associated Writers Agency (KAWA), marks a significant milestone in equipping learners with critical ICT skills essential for the 21st century. The launch aims to empower students to become active participants in the digital economy and innovators in their communities. The training session was expertly facilitated by Mr. Okwalinga Noah, a seasoned National ICT Clubs Trainer from KAWA Uganda. The session saw an impressive turnout of 36 students, representing all levels from Senior One (S.1) to Senior Six (S.6). Every student enthusiastically registered and signed the attendance list, affirming their commitment to active participation in the newly formed club. Two dedicated teachers from the school also supervised the session, providing invaluable support and guidance to the learners throughout the various activities. This hands-on approach ensured that students received personalized attention and could fully grasp the concepts introduced.

The launch program served as a comprehensive introduction to the vision, core purpose, and practical structure of an ICT Club, effectively setting the stage for future innovation and practical learning. The learners were thoroughly exposed to KAWA CONNECT offline resources, a rich digital library that includes educational simulations, interactive eBooks and videos, alongside practical hands-on tutorials and other offline digital learning tools. During the practical session, students gained invaluable firsthand experience using a variety of key software: Visual Studio Code for exploring fundamental software development tools, MIT App Inventor for building simple yet functional mobile applications, and Scratch for mastering the basics of block-based programming. The session actively encouraged creativity and problem-solving, with students guided through a basic app creation exercise. This initial experience profoundly opened their eyes to the vast possibilities that digital innovation offers, inspiring them to think beyond traditional computer usage.

Despite the palpable excitement and active participation from all attendees, the training session did encounter some minor setbacks. Notably, intermittent power interruptions temporarily affected the flow of the crucial hands-on sessions. However, the facilitation team and students adapted remarkably quickly, ensuring that no student missed out on the core learning experience, demonstrating commendable resilience. To ensure the long-term sustainability and optimal productivity of the ICT Club, several key recommendations were put forth. It is crucial to increase ICT equipment, meaning more laptops, projectors, and routers are needed to allow all students to fully engage in hands-on activities simultaneously. Additionally, providing ongoing mentorship—whether virtual or physical—from KAWA and UCC will be vital in helping learners develop more advanced skills and sustaining their momentum over time. Lastly, a robust monitoring structure should be established, where student leaders regularly submit monthly activity reports highlighting their achievements, challenges faced, innovative ideas, and areas where further support might be needed.

The successful launch of this ICT Club unequivocally signals the start of a transformative digital journey for the school and its students. Learners expressed genuine enthusiasm and deep appreciation to UCC and KAWA for providing access to such meaningful ICT opportunities. With continued support and proper resourcing, the ICT Club is exceptionally well-positioned to become a vibrant hub for innovation, problem-solving, and the development of community-driven digital solutions. As one Senior Four student proudly remarked, “This ICT Club will empower us to become creators, not just users of technology.” This initiative is a vital part of a larger vision to revolutionize education through technology and equip Ugandan learners with the essential skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. For further information or to offer support, you can contact the Patron, Mr. Rukundo Abdul, at 0782 227707, or the Headteacher, Mr. Niwagaba Alex, at 0782 454330. You can also reach out via email at abdulrukundo832@gmail.com.