ICT Club Launched at Ococia Girls Secondary School to Promote Digital Skills in Amuria District
Amuria District, Teso Sub-Region — February 24, 2026
Students at Ococia Girls Secondary School in Amuria District have taken a significant step toward digital empowerment following the successful launch and training of the school’s ICT Club. The initiative was facilitated by Kisubi Associated Writers Agency (KAWA) under the national ICT Clubs programme supported by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).
The programme aims to equip learners with practical ICT skills, innovation capacity, and responsible use of technology, helping them prepare for future opportunities in Uganda’s expanding digital economy.
A Key Girls’ Education Institution in Amuria District
Ococia Girls Secondary School is located in Ogalai, within Amuria County in Amuria District, in the Teso Sub-Region of Eastern Uganda. The school lies approximately 340 kilometres northeast of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, and about 18 kilometres from Amuria Town, the district’s administrative and commercial centre.
The school serves learners from several surrounding communities across Amuria District and neighbouring districts of the Teso region. As a girls’ secondary school, Ococia Girls SS plays an important role in promoting girls’ education and leadership development in the region.
The introduction of the ICT Club now provides students with an opportunity to expand their learning beyond traditional classroom instruction by exploring technology, coding, digital innovation, and creative problem-solving.
The ICT Club launch and training session were facilitated by Kyasima Freedom, working closely with the school administration led by Sister Anne Kizito, the headteacher. The ICT Club activities are coordinated by Mr. Jovan, the ICT teacher and club patron.
A total of 46 learners participated in the training and orientation session.
Students Show Strong Interest in Digital Skills
Before the training began, learners were invited to share their expectations from the ICT Club.
Many students expressed interest in gaining hands-on computer skills beyond classroom lessons, while others hoped to learn how to maintain and protect ICT equipment within the school computer laboratory.
Students also showed excitement about learning coding, digital innovation, and technology-based creativity, while several learners indicated that the ICT Club would help them develop teamwork, leadership skills, mentorship opportunities, and preparation for careers in the digital world.
Promoting Responsible Technology Use
During the orientation session, facilitators emphasized that ICT Clubs are designed to nurture responsible digital citizens who use technology safely, ethically, and creatively.
Students were encouraged to view ICT not only as a communication tool but also as a platform for developing innovative solutions to challenges within their communities.
Through the ICT Club, learners will also participate in supporting the management and sustainability of the school’s ICT laboratory, strengthening student ownership and responsibility.
Practical Training in ICT Skills
The training sessions introduced learners to several practical digital skills, including:
- ICT laboratory management and sustainability
- Basic computer maintenance and troubleshooting
- Internet safety and cybersecurity awareness
- Introduction to coding and digital innovation
- Responsible and ethical use of digital technologies
These sessions were designed to provide learners with hands-on ICT knowledge that extends beyond traditional classroom instruction.
Students were also introduced to the ICT Clubs national learning platform — www.ictclubs.ug, where they can access tutorials, digital resources, and innovation materials to support continued learning.
Official Launch of the ICT Club
The official launch included a recorded message from Mr. Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission.
In his message, he emphasized the importance of digital literacy, innovation, and responsible use of technology among young people, encouraging students to develop ideas that can positively transform their communities.
He also highlighted that ICT Clubs are part of a national programme aimed at nurturing the next generation of innovators and technology leaders in Uganda.
Establishing ICT Club Leadership
During the visit, KAWA worked with the school administration and ICT teachers to formally establish the ICT Club and guide learners in forming a student leadership structure responsible for coordinating club activities.
Student leaders were selected to mobilize members, organize meetings, and ensure the smooth operation of club programmes.
The school also received the ICT Club Handbook and a standard ICT Club constitution template, which will guide the governance and management of the club.
Preparing Learners for NCC 2026
Students were informed that ICT Club members across Uganda are being prepared for participation in the National Conference on Communications (NCC) 2026, where schools will showcase innovative digital projects developed by students.
This announcement encouraged learners to begin thinking creatively about technology-based solutions that can address challenges within their communities.
Participation in NCC will also expose students to national mentorship opportunities, innovation competitions, and collaboration with ICT clubs across the country.
Engagement with School Leadership
The KAWA team also held discussions with the headteacher, ICT Club patron, and school administration to strengthen institutional support for the ICT Club programme.
These discussions emphasized the need for regular ICT Club meetings, strong teacher mentorship, and active administrative support to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
Key Challenges Identified
Despite the successful launch, several challenges affecting ICT learning at the school were noted.
These included unreliable power supply, limited ICT infrastructure, limited time allocated for ICT club activities, and varying levels of digital literacy among learners.
Additional challenges included limited access to the school network from staff rooms, the ICT teacher not being on the official payroll, and malfunctioning keyboards on some laptops previously supplied by NITA-U.
The school administration also requested relocation of the solar battery system and internet access point to the ICT laboratory, as they were previously installed outside the lab environment.
Recommendations for Strengthening ICT Learning
To strengthen the ICT Club programme, the school was encouraged to allocate regular time for ICT Club meetings and innovation activities.
Improving ICT infrastructure and ensuring proper maintenance of existing equipment will help create a sustainable digital learning environment.
Continued mentorship and follow-up training from KAWA in partnership with the Uganda Communications Commission will further support learners in developing meaningful digital innovation projects.
Empowering Girls Through Digital Skills in Teso
The launch of the ICT Club at Ococia Girls Secondary School marks an important milestone in expanding digital learning opportunities for girls in Amuria District and the wider Teso Sub-Region.
With enthusiastic learners, committed teachers, and continued collaboration between KAWA and the Uganda Communications Commission, the ICT Club is expected to grow into a vibrant hub for innovation, creativity, and technology-driven problem solving.
The initiative reinforces the vision of empowering young women with the digital skills needed to succeed in the modern world and contribute to national development.
