Bwongyera Girls SS Launches ICT Club to Foster Digital Leadership
On June 21, 2025, Bwongyera Girls Secondary School in Ntungamo District achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of its ICT Club. This pivotal event was meticulously organized in partnership with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and KAWA Uganda (Kisubi Associated Writers’ Agency), with the training expertly facilitated by Kyasima Freedom. The primary objective of the launch was to empower students with practical digital skills, ignite their creativity, and adequately prepare them for future careers in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Students from Senior 1 to Senior 6 were actively mobilized to attend the event, and their enthusiastic participation clearly demonstrated a strong and genuine interest in digital literacy, coding, and project-based learning. During the session, learners were introduced to a range of modern ICT tools and innovative technologies, highlighting how these can be effectively utilized to solve real-world challenges prevalent in their communities. The Headteacher, Ashaba Grace (Tel: 0774067534), expressed profound gratitude to both UCC and KAWA for their steadfast commitment to extending ICT opportunities to rural schools. She emphasized that the newly established ICT Club is poised to play a crucial role in cultivating digital confidence and fostering innovation among the students.
Despite the overall success of the training, certain challenges were encountered that somewhat limited the session’s full effectiveness. Notably, an unstable power supply intermittently disrupted parts of the training, causing minor setbacks. Furthermore, the computers in the ICT lab were slow and plagued by technical issues stemming from outdated software, which unfortunately restricted the scope and fluidity of hands-on exercises for the students.
To comprehensively address these identified challenges and to significantly enhance the ICT training experience while ensuring its long-term sustainability, several key recommendations were put forth. It was strongly advised that a qualified technician should conduct a thorough assessment of the school’s existing computers, followed by the installation of updated software and optimization of system performance to ensure seamless operations. Additionally, the school was encouraged to seriously consider investing in reliable power backup solutions to prevent any future disruptions during critical ICT training sessions. Lastly, continued mentorship and guidance from both UCC and KAWA were deemed essential to further strengthen the ICT Club’s activities and to adequately prepare students for various competitions.
Feedback from both the students and teachers who participated in the training was overwhelmingly positive. They particularly appreciated the interactive training approach, describing the session as both eye-opening and deeply inspiring. The club patrons, in turn, pledged their unwavering commitment to continuously training and mentoring students, encouraging them to be creative and innovative, building upon the foundational knowledge and skills acquired during the launch event.
In conclusion, the successful launch of the ICT Club at Bwongyera Girls Secondary School represents a pivotal and commendable step towards achieving greater digital inclusion within Ntungamo District. With the sustained and invaluable support from UCC and KAWA, the school’s ICT Club is set to transform into a dynamic hub for coding, app development, and comprehensive digital literacy workshops. It will also serve as a vital platform for fostering teamwork and nurturing innovation among its learners. Headteacher Ashaba Grace eloquently summarized the initiative, remarking, “This ICT Club is not just a platform for learning—it’s a gateway to future opportunities and digital leadership for our students.”
We extend our heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation to UCC, under the distinguished leadership of Hon. George William Nyombi Thembo (Executive Director), alongside James Beronda (UCUSAF Director), Arnold Bareba Mujuni (Head of Technical Services), and Carolyn Vunia (Manager, ICT Clubs), for their unwavering and dedicated efforts in significantly improving ICT access in secondary schools across the region. Special recognition is also due to Engineer Paul Rukundo, Executive Director of KAWA Uganda, for his tireless and consistent support in promoting ICT education, providing crucial mentorship, and championing the KAWA CONNECT digital platform, which continues to empower countless students throughout Uganda. Finally, we profoundly acknowledge the Ministry of Education and Sports, under the visionary leadership of First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni, for championing the competence-based curriculum, which places a strong and much-needed emphasis on practical ICT skills for all learners.
