Kagwara Seed SS ICT Club Launch Puts Student Ownership at the Centre of Digital Learning

Kagwara Seed Secondary School in Serere District has taken an important step towards strengthening digital learning, learner responsibility, and practical ICT skills through the launch and training of its ICT Club.

The activity took place on 26th February 2025 and was facilitated by Kyasima Freedom on behalf of Kisubi Associated Writers Agency (KAWA). It was conducted under the ICT Clubs programme supported by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and UCUSAF.

The visit aimed at officially launching the school ICT Club, orienting learners and school leaders on the purpose of the programme, and equipping students with foundational digital knowledge and practical ICT skills. It also encouraged learners to see ICT as a tool for creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and future career preparation.

The school leadership, led by Headteacher Mr Ogaram Robert, together with ICT Teacher Mr Eliacu Solomon, welcomed the initiative and engaged with the KAWA team on how the club can support digital learning and strengthen the sustainability of ICT resources at the school.

Before the training began, learners were invited to share their expectations. Many hoped to gain practical computer skills beyond normal classroom lessons. Others wanted to learn how to maintain and protect ICT equipment, improve their internet use, explore coding, create digital content, and understand innovation. Some learners also expressed interest in teamwork, mentorship, problem-solving, and preparation for future opportunities in the digital world.

During the session, learners were guided to understand that an ICT Club is not only about using computers. It is a platform for building leadership, responsibility, teamwork, creativity, and digital confidence. Students were encouraged to take ownership of the school computer laboratory and support the proper use, care, and maintenance of ICT equipment.

KAWA provided learning materials to support the launch and training. These included PowerPoint presentations, practical demonstrations, case studies, and interactive exercises. Learners were also introduced to the ICT Clubs website, www.ictclubs.ug, where they can access tutorials, innovation resources, and learning materials to continue developing their skills after the launch.

The official launch was conducted through a recorded speech message from the Executive Director of UCC, Mr Nyombi Thembo. His message emphasised the importance of digital skills, responsible use of technology, innovation, and the role of learners in sustaining school ICT laboratories. This helped learners appreciate that they are part of a wider national programme promoting digital transformation in schools across Uganda.

KAWA worked with the school administration, ICT teacher, and club patron to establish the ICT Club and support the formation of student leadership structures. Learners were guided on how the club will operate, why leadership is important, and how accountability can help sustain club activities. A standard ICT Club constitution template was also shared with the school to guide formal club operations.

The ICT Club Handbook was also shared with the school to support club leadership, learner participation, innovation activities, digital skills development, and responsible use of technology. The handbook will guide the patron, teachers, and student leaders as they organise club activities throughout the year.

The digital skills training introduced learners to ICT laboratory management and sustainability, basic computer maintenance, troubleshooting, internet safety, cybersecurity awareness, coding, innovation, and Artificial Intelligence. The training encouraged learners to handle ICT equipment responsibly, use the internet safely, and begin applying technology to practical school and community challenges.

Learners were also informed about preparation for ANCC 2026. This encouraged them to take ICT Club activities seriously, strengthen teamwork, and begin developing practical projects and innovations that could represent their school in future technology platforms.

The expected outcomes of the Kagwara Seed SS ICT Club include improved practical ICT skills, stronger learner ownership of school ICT resources, safe and ethical use of technology, increased interest in coding and innovation, and better preparation for future digital opportunities. The club is also expected to support mentorship, digital creation, problem-solving, and participation in ICT-related competitions.

The visit also highlighted several challenges affecting ICT use at the school. These included unreliable power supply, inadequate ICT infrastructure, limited time for club activities, low digital literacy among some learners, and the need to sustain momentum after the launch. It was also noted that teachers cannot access the network from the staff room, which limits effective use of digital resources for preparation and teaching support.

Another concern raised was that the ICT teacher is not yet on payroll, which may affect long-term ICT support and consistency in guiding learners. In addition, some keyboards on the laptops provided by NITA-U were not working, reducing the number of devices learners can use effectively during practical sessions.

The school administration also requested the relocation of the solar battery and the internet access point from their location at the time of training to a more suitable place connected to the computer laboratory. This would help improve access, strengthen ICT use, and make the available digital resources more useful for both learners and teachers.

These issues show that sustaining ICT Clubs requires both learner enthusiasm and reliable infrastructure. Functional equipment, stable power, network access, teacher support, and proper placement of ICT resources are all important in helping the club become active and impactful.

KAWA encouraged the school to allocate regular time for ICT Club activities, strengthen support from the administration and patron, repair faulty equipment, improve network access, and continue receiving mentorship and follow-up training. Improved ICT infrastructure and reliable power will help the club grow into a sustainable centre for digital learning and innovation.

The launch at Kagwara Seed Secondary School marked an important step in building learner capacity, promoting responsible use of technology, strengthening school ICT sustainability, and preparing students for future opportunities in the digital world.

With continued support from the school, KAWA, UCC, and UCUSAF, the ICT Club has the potential to become a strong platform for student leadership, creativity, innovation, and future-ready learning.

KAWA sincerely appreciates UCC and UCUSAF for their continued support towards the establishment and training of ICT Clubs in schools across Uganda.