ICT Club Launched at Barakala Seed Secondary School to Strengthen Digital Innovation in Yumbe District
Yumbe District, West Nile Region — February 27, 2026
Students at Barakala Seed Secondary School in Yumbe District have officially joined Uganda’s expanding network of young digital innovators following the successful launch and training of the school’s ICT Club. The activity was implemented by Kisubi Associated Writers Agency (KAWA) under the national ICT Clubs programme supported by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through the UCUSAF initiative.
Barakala Seed Secondary School is located in Yumbe Town Council in Aringa County, Yumbe District, within the West Nile Region of Northern Uganda. The school lies approximately 500 kilometres northwest of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, and about 3 kilometres from Yumbe Town, the district’s main administrative and commercial centre. The school serves learners from surrounding rural communities where access to advanced digital learning opportunities is still developing, making the ICT Clubs initiative particularly valuable.
The ICT Club launch took place on Friday, 27 February 2026, and was facilitated by Noah Okwalinga from the KAWA ICT Clubs programme. The school is led by Headteacher Mr. Hamid Amin, while Mr. Jusper Efuya serves as the ICT teacher and club patron, guiding the club’s digital learning and innovation activities.
Inspiring Learners to Use Technology for Community Transformation
The visit aimed to officially introduce the ICT Club and orient learners and school leadership on the objectives of the national ICT Clubs programme.
ICT Clubs are designed to equip learners with practical digital skills, innovation capacity, and the ability to use technology to solve challenges within their communities.
Before the training began, students were invited to share their expectations for the club. Many learners expressed enthusiasm about gaining hands-on computer skills, learning how to maintain and protect ICT equipment, improving their internet use, and exploring coding, innovation, and digital creativity.
Others expressed interest in mentorship, teamwork, and preparing for future careers in the digital economy.
Building Student Ownership of ICT Infrastructure
A key focus of the training was encouraging learners to take an active role in sustaining the school’s ICT infrastructure.
Facilitators emphasized that ICT Club members should develop the ability to support the management and sustainability of the school computer laboratory, assist with basic ICT equipment maintenance, and promote responsible use of digital technology among fellow learners.
Through this initiative, students become digital ambassadors and custodians of their school’s ICT resources.
Educational Resources and Digital Platforms Introduced
To support the launch and training, KAWA delivered PowerPoint presentations, practical demonstrations, case studies, and interactive learning activities.
Learners were also introduced to the national ICT Clubs learning platform www.ictclubs.ug, which provides access to tutorials, digital resources, and innovation materials that can help students continue developing their skills beyond the training session.
The platform allows learners across Uganda to explore technology, collaborate, and develop digital solutions to community challenges.
Official Launch Message from UCC Leadership
The official launch of the ICT Club was marked by a recorded message from Mr. Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission.
In his message, he encouraged learners to embrace digital technology responsibly and use innovation to create solutions that improve their communities.
He also reminded students that ICT Clubs are part of a nationwide programme supported by UCC and UCUSAF, aimed at preparing young Ugandans to participate actively in the digital economy.
Establishing Club Leadership and Structures
During the visit, the KAWA team worked with the school administration and ICT teachers to formally establish the ICT Club and guide learners in forming a student leadership structure.
Students were trained on how the club will operate, the responsibilities of leadership, and the importance of accountability and teamwork in sustaining the club’s activities.
A standard ICT Club constitution template was also shared with the school to guide governance and operations.
In addition, the ICT Club Handbook was provided in digital format to support teachers and student leaders in managing club activities, innovation programmes, and digital learning initiatives throughout the year.
Digital Skills Training Delivered
Learners also received introductory training in several key areas of digital literacy, including:
- ICT laboratory management and sustainability
- Basic computer maintenance and troubleshooting
- Internet safety and cybersecurity awareness
- Introduction to coding and digital innovation
- Exposure to emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence
The training emphasized responsible handling of ICT equipment, safe internet practices, and the use of technology as a tool for creativity and problem solving.
Preparing Learners for ANCC 2026
Students were informed that ICT Club members across Uganda are being prepared to participate in the Annual National Conference on Communications (ANCC) 2026, where schools will showcase innovative technology projects developed by students.
This announcement encouraged learners to begin thinking about technology-based solutions that can address challenges within their communities, strengthening creativity and collaboration among club members.
Strengthening Support from School Leadership
The KAWA team also held engagement sessions with the headteacher, ICT club patron, and teachers to strengthen school-level support for the programme.
Discussions emphasized the importance of allocating time for ICT Club activities, providing mentorship to students, and ensuring strong institutional ownership of the initiative.
With continued support from the school administration, the ICT Club is expected to grow into a centre for digital learning and innovation.
Challenges Identified
Several potential challenges were identified during the visit, including:
- Unreliable power supply
- Limited ICT infrastructure
- Limited time allocated for club activities
- Varying levels of digital literacy among learners
- The need to sustain momentum after the launch
Addressing these challenges will be essential for ensuring that the ICT Club continues to grow and support more learners.
Recommendations for Strengthening the ICT Club
To support the development of the ICT Club, the school was encouraged to allocate regular time for ICT club activities, strengthen support from the administration and teachers, and continue receiving mentorship and follow-up training from KAWA.
Improving ICT infrastructure and ensuring reliable power supply will also help the club grow into a sustainable hub for digital learning and innovation.
Advancing Digital Skills in the West Nile Region
KAWA expressed sincere appreciation to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and UCUSAF for supporting the establishment and training of ICT Clubs across Uganda.
The launch of the ICT Club at Barakala Seed Secondary School marks an important milestone in strengthening digital literacy, innovation, and technology leadership among learners in the West Nile region.
Through initiatives like these, students are gaining the skills and confidence needed to become future innovators, technology leaders, and problem solvers in Uganda’s digital future.
