ICT Club Launched at Obalanga Seed Secondary School to Strengthen Digital Skills in Kapelebyong

KAPELEBYONG DISTRICT, EASTERN UGANDA — Obalanga Seed Secondary School has taken a significant leap toward digital transformation following the successful launch and training of its ICT Club on 24th February 2025.

The training was facilitated by Kyasima Freedom 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 Obalanga Seed Secondary School

Obalanga Seed Secondary School is located in Obalanga Sub-county, Kapelebyong District, within the Teso and Bukedi sub-region of Eastern Uganda. The district lies approximately 260–280 kilometers northeast of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, and is part of the wider Teso region known for its growing education and development initiatives.

The main urban center in the district is Kapelebyong Town, which serves as the administrative and commercial hub. The school serves a wide rural catchment and plays a key role in expanding access to secondary education and digital learning opportunities.

Purpose of the ICT Club Launch

The ICT Club was launched to create a structured platform for students to develop practical digital skills, engage in innovation, and take responsibility for managing ICT resources within the school.

The programme also introduced learners and school leadership to the broader vision of building digitally empowered schools across Uganda.

Learners Embrace Digital Learning Opportunities

During the initial engagement, students expressed strong enthusiasm for the ICT Club, highlighting their desire to:

Gain hands-on computer skills
Learn how to maintain and protect ICT equipment
Improve internet usage and digital literacy
Explore coding, innovation, and digital creativity

Learners also showed interest in teamwork, mentorship, and problem-solving, indicating readiness to embrace opportunities in the digital space.

Developing Skills Beyond the Classroom

Facilitators emphasized that the ICT Club is designed to:

Strengthen ICT laboratory management and sustainability
Promote student ownership and accountability
Provide advanced practical ICT exposure

This approach positions students as active contributors to the school’s digital ecosystem.

Official Launch Message

The official launch featured a recorded message from UCC Executive Director, Mr. Nyombi Thembo, who highlighted the importance of digital skills, innovation, and responsible use of technology.

Students were encouraged to take full advantage of the programme and actively participate in sustaining ICT resources.

Establishment of ICT Club Leadership

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

Student leaders were selected and guided on leadership roles, teamwork, and accountability. A standard ICT Club constitution template was also provided to guide club operations.

ICT Club Handbook and Learning Resources

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

Club management and leadership
Learner participation and engagement
Innovation and project development
Digital skills advancement

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

Digital Skills Training Conducted

The training sessions equipped learners with essential 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

The sessions emphasized practical skills, safe internet usage, and problem-solving abilities.

Expected Impact of the ICT Club

The ICT Club is expected to contribute to:

Sustainable management of ICT laboratories
Enhanced student leadership and responsibility
Improved digital literacy and ethical technology use
Development of practical ICT and innovation skills
Access to mentorship opportunities through UCC and UCUSAF

Preparing Students for NCC 2026

Learners were encouraged to actively engage in ICT Club activities in preparation for participation in the National Conference on Communications (NCC) 2026.

This opportunity is expected to inspire students to develop innovative projects, strengthen collaboration, and apply digital solutions to real-world challenges.

Strengthening Institutional Support

KAWA engaged the school leadership and ICT teachers to reinforce the need for:

Regular ICT Club activities
Strong mentorship and guidance
Institutional support for sustainability

Challenges Identified

Several challenges were noted during the engagement, including:

Unreliable power supply
Limited ICT infrastructure and network access in some areas
Non-functional keyboards on some laptops provided through national programmes
Limited time for ICT Club activities
Low digital literacy among some learners
Staffing challenges, including ICT personnel not fully supported
Need to improve placement of solar power systems and internet access points

Addressing these challenges will be essential for ensuring the long-term success 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 and connectivity
Continue collaboration with KAWA, UCC, and UCUSAF

Conclusion

The launch of the ICT Club at Obalanga Seed Secondary School marks an important milestone in advancing digital education in Kapelebyong District. By equipping students with practical ICT skills, promoting innovation, and encouraging responsible use of technology, the initiative is shaping learners into future-ready digital citizens.

KAWA expressed appreciation to UCC and UCUSAF for their continued support in expanding ICT Clubs across Uganda and bridging the digital divide in schools.