ICT Club Launched at Bufumbo Secondary School to Boost Digital Skills in Mbale District

MBALE DISTRICT, EASTERN UGANDA — Bufumbo Secondary School has officially launched its ICT Club in a strategic move to strengthen digital literacy, innovation, and practical technology skills among learners. The launch and training were conducted on Monday, 18th February 2025, facilitated by Moses Wamanga 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 Bufumbo Secondary School

Bufumbo Secondary School is located in Jewa Parish, Bufumbo, within Mbale District in the Sebei/Bugisu sub-region of Eastern Uganda.

Mbale District lies approximately 280–300 kilometers northeast of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. The nearest major urban center is Mbale City, which serves as the commercial and administrative hub of the region, supporting surrounding districts including Sironko, Bududa, and Manafwa.

The school serves a rural community and has been progressively embracing ICT as a tool for improving education, fostering innovation, and empowering students with digital competencies.

Purpose of the ICT Club Launch

The primary objective of the visit was to officially establish the ICT Club and introduce learners and school leadership to its goals. The initiative is designed to:

Equip students with practical ICT skills and innovation capabilities
Encourage students to use technology to identify and solve real-life community challenges
Promote responsible and ethical use of ICT resources

Learners Express Strong Interest in Digital Skills

Before the training, learners shared their expectations, highlighting a strong desire to:

Gain hands-on computer skills beyond classroom theory
Learn how to maintain and safeguard ICT equipment
Improve internet usage and digital literacy
Explore coding, innovation, and digital content creation

Students also expressed interest in mentorship, teamwork, and preparation for future careers in the digital economy.

Building ICT Capacity and Responsibility

During the training, facilitators explained that the ICT Club aims to:

Strengthen ICT laboratory management and sustainability
Promote student ownership and responsibility in handling ICT resources
Provide practical digital skills that extend beyond the standard curriculum

This ensures learners actively participate in maintaining and utilizing school ICT infrastructure.

Training Resources and Learning Support

KAWA provided a wide range of training materials, including:

PowerPoint presentations
Practical demonstrations
Case studies and interactive learning activities

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

Official Launch Message

The ICT Club launch featured a recorded message from UCC Executive Director Mr. Nyombi Thembo, emphasizing:

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

His message reinforced the national significance of the programme and inspired learners to engage actively.

Establishment of ICT Club Leadership

KAWA worked closely with the school administration, led by Headteacher Mr. Magomu Yusuf, alongside ICT teachers including Mr. Bwire Amuza, to establish a structured ICT Club leadership system.

Students were guided on:

Leadership roles
Accountability
Effective management of the club

A standard ICT Club constitution template was also provided to support club operations.

Digital Skills Training Conducted

Learners received foundational training in areas such as:

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

The sessions emphasized practical skills, safe technology use, and problem-solving capabilities.

Expected Impact of the ICT Club

The ICT Club is expected to:

Promote sustainable use and maintenance of ICT laboratories
Enhance student leadership and responsibility
Encourage safe and ethical use of technology
Equip learners with practical skills in coding, innovation, and digital creation
Provide opportunities for mentorship through UCC and UCUSAF

Preparing Learners for NCC 2026

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

This initiative is designed to inspire learners to develop impactful solutions and actively engage in national technology platforms.

Strengthening School Support

KAWA engaged with school leadership and ICT teachers to emphasize:

Regular ICT Club meetings
Continuous mentorship and guidance
Strong institutional support for sustainability

Staff members who participated in the training included Magomu Yusuful, Nandudu Shamim, Wambedde Moses W., and Bwire Amuza, among others.

Challenges Identified

Some challenges noted during the training include:

Unreliable power supply
Limited ICT infrastructure
Limited time allocation for club activities
Low digital literacy among some learners

Addressing these challenges will be essential to ensure the long-term success of the ICT Club.

Recommendations

To strengthen the ICT Club’s impact, the following recommendations were made:

Allocate regular time for ICT Club activities
Strengthen support from school administration and ICT teachers
Provide continuous mentorship and follow-up training
Improve ICT infrastructure and ensure reliable power supply

Conclusion

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

By equipping learners with practical ICT skills, promoting innovation, and fostering responsible technology use, the initiative prepares 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.