St. Joseph Kinaaba Community SS Lights the Path to Digital Literacy with ICT Club Launch

In a significant stride toward digital empowerment, St. Joseph Kinaaba Community Secondary School in Kanungu District officially launched its ICT Club on June 12th, 2025. The launch was carried out through the collaborative efforts of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Kisubi Associated Writers Agency (KAWA), as part of a national initiative to strengthen ICT access and skills among students in underserved communities.

Facilitated by Mr. Noah Okwalinga, the training not only introduced the concept of ICT Clubs but also gave students practical exposure to coding and mobile app development tools, laying the groundwork for a future of innovation and digital problem-solving.

Empowering the Few to Lead the Many

Although the inaugural training session engaged a small cohort of 10 enthusiastic students—eight boys and two girls from Senior Two and Senior Three—the impact was nothing short of transformative. With the personal guidance of Mr. Okwalinga, the students explored hands-on digital creation, gaining exposure to Visual Studio Code, Scratch programming, and MIT App Inventor.

“This is a dream come true,” one student remarked. “I never imagined I could create something on a computer that solves problems.”

These early adopters are now poised to be the digital champions of their school, using what they’ve learned to inspire their peers and initiate homegrown ICT projects tailored to their community.

Core Training Highlights

The session delivered a comprehensive experience, with activities including:

Orientation to the ICT Club’s Purpose and Goals
Students learned about the structure of ICT Clubs, leadership roles, and project-based learning objectives.
Exploration of KAWA CONNECT
A guided walkthrough of offline digital resources like simulations, video lessons, interactive modules, and eBooks designed for schools with limited internet connectivity.
App Development Training
Hands-on practice with MIT App Inventor and Scratch, giving students the foundation to build their own applications and digital tools.

Challenges Observed During the Launch

Despite the enthusiasm, a few technical barriers emerged:

The lack of a projector significantly affected the visual aspect of the training, especially during the presentation of video messages and guided demonstrations.
Students had to share computers, limiting the time each learner had to interact with the software tools directly.

Recommendations for Growth and Sustainability

The facilitator made the following key recommendations to ensure continued success:

Provision of ICT Equipment
Additional laptops, routers, and especially a projector, would greatly enhance both teaching and learning experiences.
Structured Mentorship Support
KAWA and UCC should coordinate periodic virtual or in-person mentorship sessions to sustain motivation and skills development.
Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
Student leaders should be encouraged to compile and submit monthly activity reports to track the club’s progress and emerging needs.

A Word from the Patron

Mr. Birungi Eliab, the ICT Club Patron, expressed optimism and deep gratitude for the initiative:

“This club is a springboard for transformation. We may be starting small, but the vision is big. We are determined to build a tech-forward student body here at Kinaaba.”

Looking to the Future

The successful launch of the ICT Club at St. Joseph Kinaaba Community SS is a testament to what is possible with passion, vision, and the right partnerships. It not only introduces learners to ICT but also positions them as innovators and problem-solvers in their communities.

With sustained support from UCC, KAWA, and school leadership, this club is expected to grow into a regional hub of digital creativity, giving learners the tools to shape their futures in a tech-driven world.