ICT Club Launched at Bulucheke Secondary School to Strengthen Digital Skills in Bududa District

BUDUDA DISTRICT, EASTERN UGANDA — Bulucheke Secondary School has officially launched its ICT Club in a significant step toward enhancing digital literacy, innovation, and practical technology skills among learners. The launch and training were conducted on Monday, 8th March 2025, facilitated by Moses Wamanga, Paul Mboya, and Peter Tusiime under the Kisubi Associated Writers Agency (KAWA) as part of the national ICT Clubs programme supported by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).

About Bulucheke Secondary School

Bulucheke Secondary School is located in Bulucheke Village, Bumwalye Parish, Bududa District, within the Sebei/Bugisu sub-region of Eastern Uganda.

Bududa District lies on the slopes of Mount Elgon, approximately 230–250 kilometers northeast of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. The nearest major urban center is Mbale City, which serves as the commercial and administrative hub for the region and supports surrounding districts including Bududa.

The school serves a predominantly rural community and is steadily embracing ICT to improve the quality of education and promote innovation among learners.

Purpose of the ICT Club Launch

The launch aimed to officially establish the ICT Club and introduce learners and school leadership to the objectives of the programme.

The initiative focuses on equipping students with practical ICT skills, fostering innovation, and encouraging the use of technology to solve real-life community challenges.

Learners’ Expectations and Engagement

Before the training began, learners shared their expectations, demonstrating strong enthusiasm for digital learning. Many expressed interest in:

• Gaining practical computer skills beyond classroom theory
• Learning how to maintain and protect ICT equipment
• Improving internet usage and digital literacy
• Exploring coding, innovation, and digital content creation

Students also highlighted the importance of mentorship, teamwork, and preparation for future careers in the digital world.

Strong ICT Infrastructure to Support Learning

Bulucheke Secondary School stands out with relatively strong ICT infrastructure, including:

• Two computer laboratories with 40 networked computers each
• 15 laptops
• A projector and screen
• Internet connectivity

This foundation provides a solid platform for the ICT Club to thrive and for learners to gain hands-on experience.

Building ICT Capacity and Responsibility

During the training, facilitators emphasized that the ICT Club will:

• Strengthen ICT laboratory management and sustainability
• Promote student ownership and responsibility in managing ICT resources
• Provide advanced practical digital skills beyond classroom learning

This approach ensures learners actively contribute to maintaining and utilizing ICT facilities.

Training Resources and Learning Support

KAWA delivered comprehensive training using:

• PowerPoint presentations
• Practical demonstrations
• Case studies and interactive exercises

Learners were also introduced to the ICT Clubs online platform (www.ictclubs.ug) to access tutorials, innovation resources, and continuous learning materials.

Official Launch Message

The ICT Club was officially launched through a recorded message from UCC Executive Director, Mr. Nyombi Thembo, who emphasized:

• The importance of digital skills and innovation
• Responsible and ethical use of technology
• The role of learners in sustaining ICT laboratories

The message helped students understand their role within a broader national digital transformation programme.

Establishment of ICT Club Leadership

KAWA worked closely with the school administration led by Headteacher Mr. Mukhwana Edward, alongside ICT teachers including Mr. Watyekele John, to establish a structured ICT Club leadership system.

Students were guided on leadership roles, accountability, and effective management of the club, supported by a standard ICT Club constitution template.

Digital Skills Training Conducted

Learners received foundational training in:

• ICT lab management and sustainability
• Basic computer maintenance and troubleshooting
• Internet safety and cybersecurity awareness
• Introduction to coding, innovation, and Artificial Intelligence

The training emphasized practical application, safe technology use, and problem-solving skills.

Expected Impact of the ICT Club

The ICT Club is expected to:

• Promote sustainable ICT laboratory usage and maintenance
• Strengthen student leadership and responsibility
• Encourage safe and ethical use of technology
• Equip learners with practical skills in coding and innovation
• Provide mentorship opportunities through UCC and UCUSAF

Preparing Learners for NCC 2026

Students were informed about opportunities to participate in the National Conference on Communications (NCC) 2026, where they can showcase innovative ICT projects.

This initiative is expected to motivate learners to develop creative solutions and actively engage in national ICT platforms.

Engagement with School Leadership

KAWA held engagement sessions with the headteacher, ICT Club patron, and teachers to strengthen school-level support. Emphasis was placed on:

• Regular ICT Club activities
• Continuous mentorship
• Institutional ownership of the programme

Challenges Identified

Despite the progress, several challenges were noted:

• Unreliable power supply
• Limited time allocation for ICT Club activities
• Variations in digital literacy among learners

Addressing these challenges will be key to sustaining the impact of the ICT Club.

Recommendations

To ensure continued success, the following were recommended:

• Allocate regular time for ICT Club activities
• Strengthen administrative and teacher support
• Continue mentorship and follow-up training
• Enhance infrastructure and ensure reliable power supply

Conclusion

The launch of the ICT Club at Bulucheke Secondary School marks a significant milestone in advancing digital education in Bududa District.

By equipping learners with practical ICT skills, promoting innovation, and fostering responsible use of technology, the initiative is preparing students for future opportunities in the digital economy, including participation in NCC 2026.

KAWA expressed appreciation to UCC and UCUSAF for their continued support in expanding ICT Clubs across Uganda and empowering learners with essential digital competencies.