ICT Club Launched at Kagumu Secondary School to Drive Digital Transformation in Kibuku

KIBUKU DISTRICT, EASTERN UGANDA — Kagumu Secondary School has taken a bold step toward strengthening digital education following the successful launch and training of its ICT Club on Tuesday, 25th February 2026.

The training was facilitated by Noah Okwalinga under the Kisubi Associated Writers Agency (KAWA) through the national ICT Clubs programme supported by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund UCUSAF.

About Kagumu Secondary School

Kagumu Secondary School is located in Kagumu Sub-county, Kibuku District, within the Teso and Bukedi sub-region of Eastern Uganda. Kibuku District lies approximately 180–200 kilometers east of Kampala, Uganda’s capital, along the eastern transport corridor connecting key towns like Mbale and Tirinyi.

The district headquarters is found in Kibuku Town, which serves as the main administrative and commercial center. The school serves a growing population of learners from surrounding rural communities and is steadily integrating ICT into its academic environment.

Purpose of the ICT Club Initiative

The ICT Club launch aimed to officially establish a structured platform where students can learn, practice, and innovate using digital technologies. The programme also focused on equipping learners with practical ICT skills and strengthening their role in managing school ICT resources.

Students Eager to Embrace Technology

Before the training sessions began, learners shared their expectations, expressing strong interest in:

Acquiring hands-on computer skills
Learning how to maintain and protect ICT equipment
Improving internet usage and digital literacy
Exploring coding, innovation, and digital creativity

Many students also highlighted the importance of teamwork, mentorship, and problem-solving skills as they prepare for future opportunities in the digital world.

Building Skills Beyond the Classroom

Facilitators emphasized that the ICT Club is designed to go beyond theoretical learning by:

Enhancing ICT laboratory management and sustainability
Promoting student ownership and responsibility
Providing advanced practical ICT exposure

This approach empowers students to become active contributors to their school’s digital ecosystem.

Official Launch Message

The ICT Club was officially launched through a recorded speech by UCC Executive Director, Mr. Nyombi Thembo, who emphasized the importance of digital skills, innovation, and responsible technology use.

He encouraged learners to take advantage of the programme and actively contribute to sustaining ICT resources within their school.

Establishment of Club Leadership

KAWA worked closely with the school administration led by Headteacher Sewankambo Mahmoud and ICT teachers to establish a functional ICT Club leadership structure.

Students were guided on leadership roles, accountability, and teamwork, while a standard ICT Club constitution template was provided to ensure smooth and sustainable operations.

ICT Club Handbook and Learning Support

To support ongoing learning, the school received the ICT Club Handbook, which provides guidance on:

Club management and operations
Leadership development
Innovation and project-based learning
Digital skills advancement

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

Digital Skills Training Conducted

The training sessions equipped learners with essential digital competencies, including:

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

The sessions emphasized practical application, responsible technology use, and problem-solving skills.

Expected Impact of the ICT Club

The ICT Club is expected to bring transformative benefits, including:

Improved sustainability of ICT laboratories
Increased student leadership and responsibility
Enhanced digital literacy and safe internet practices
Development of practical ICT and innovation skills
Access to mentorship opportunities through UCC and UCUSAF

Preparing Students for NCC 2026

Learners were informed that active participation in ICT Club activities will prepare them for opportunities such as the National Conference on Communications (NCC) 2026.

This has motivated students to begin working on innovative projects, collaborative learning, and creative problem-solving initiatives.

Strengthening Institutional Support

KAWA engaged the school leadership and ICT teachers to ensure strong institutional backing for the ICT Club. Emphasis was placed on:

Regular ICT Club meetings
Teacher mentorship and guidance
Long-term sustainability of the programme

Challenges Identified

Despite the promising start, several challenges were noted:

Unreliable power supply
Limited ICT infrastructure
Time constraints for club activities
Low digital literacy levels among some learners

Addressing these challenges will be essential to ensure consistent growth and impact of the ICT Club.

Way Forward

The school has been encouraged to:

Allocate dedicated time for ICT Club activities
Strengthen administrative and mentorship support
Improve ICT infrastructure where possible
Maintain continuous engagement with KAWA, UCC, and UCUSAF

Conclusion

The launch of the ICT Club at Kagumu Secondary School marks a significant milestone in advancing digital education in Kibuku District. By equipping learners with essential ICT skills, fostering innovation, and promoting responsible technology use, the initiative is preparing students for a digitally driven future.

KAWA expressed appreciation to UCC and UCUSAF for their continued support in expanding ICT Clubs across Uganda and empowering learners with the tools they need to succeed in the digital age.