ICT Club Launched at St. Mary’s College Madi Opei to Strengthen Digital Skills in Lamwo District
Lamwo District, Acholi Sub-Region — February 25, 2026
Students at St. Mary’s College Madi Opei in Lamwo District have officially joined Uganda’s growing network of young digital innovators following the successful launch and training of the school’s ICT Club. The activity was facilitated by Kisubi Associated Writers Agency (KAWA) in partnership with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).
The initiative forms part of a national programme aimed at promoting digital literacy, innovation, and responsible use of technology among secondary school learners across Uganda.
A Leading Education Institution in Lamwo District
St. Mary’s College Madi Opei is located in Padibe Town Council in Lamwo District, within the Acholi Sub-Region of Northern Uganda, near the Uganda–South Sudan border. The school lies approximately 430 kilometres north of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, and about 12 kilometres from Lamwo Town, the district’s main administrative centre.
The school serves learners from Padibe and surrounding communities across Lamwo District and plays an important role in expanding access to secondary education in Northern Uganda. The introduction of the ICT Club now creates new opportunities for students to explore technology, coding, innovation, and digital problem-solving skills.
The ICT Club launch and training session were facilitated by Noah Okwalinga, working closely with the school administration led by Mrs. Caroline Akot, the headteacher. The ICT Club activities at the school are coordinated by Mr. Kidega Paul, the ICT teacher and club patron.
A total of 54 learners participated in the orientation and training session, demonstrating strong enthusiasm for digital learning opportunities.
Students Show Strong Interest in Digital Learning
Before the training activities began, learners were invited to share their expectations from the ICT Club.
Many students expressed interest in gaining practical computer skills beyond the classroom, learning how to maintain and protect ICT equipment, and improving their internet research and digital literacy skills.
Others were particularly eager to explore coding, digital innovation, and technology-based creativity, while several learners hoped the club would help them develop teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills necessary for the modern digital economy.
Encouraging Innovation and Responsible Technology Use
During the orientation session, facilitators emphasized that ICT Clubs aim to nurture innovative thinkers and responsible users of technology.
Students were encouraged to view ICT not only as a communication tool but also as a platform for developing solutions to challenges within their communities.
Through the ICT Club, learners will also take part in maintaining and protecting ICT equipment within the school laboratory, promoting student ownership and responsibility.
Practical Digital Skills Training
The training session included interactive demonstrations and discussions covering several key areas of digital learning, including:
- ICT laboratory management and sustainability
- Basic computer maintenance and troubleshooting
- Internet safety and cybersecurity awareness
- Introduction to coding and digital innovation
- Responsible use of digital technologies
Through these sessions, learners gained an understanding of how digital skills can be applied in sectors such as education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and community development.
Students were also introduced to the ICT Clubs national learning platform — www.ictclubs.ug, where they can access tutorials, innovation resources, and digital learning materials to support continuous learning.
Official Launch of the ICT Club
The official launch of the ICT Club included a recorded message from Mr. Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission.
In his message, he emphasized the importance of digital literacy, innovation, and responsible technology use among young people, encouraging learners to develop ideas that address real challenges within their communities.
He also highlighted that ICT Clubs are part of a national programme supported by UCC and UCUSAF aimed at nurturing Uganda’s next generation of technology innovators.
Establishing ICT Club Leadership
During the visit, KAWA worked with the school administration and teachers to establish the ICT Club and guide learners in forming a student leadership structure.
Student leaders were selected to coordinate club activities, mobilise members, and ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
The school also received the ICT Club Handbook and a standard ICT Club constitution template, which will guide the organisation and management of club activities throughout the year.
Preparing Students for NCC 2026
Learners were informed that ICT Club members across Uganda are being prepared for participation in the National Conference on Communications (NCC) 2026, where schools will showcase innovative technology projects developed by students.
This announcement encouraged learners to begin thinking creatively about technology-based solutions that can address community challenges, while strengthening teamwork and innovation within the club.
Engagement with School Leadership
Beyond student training, the KAWA team engaged with the headteacher, ICT Club patron, and teachers to strengthen school-level support for the programme.
The discussions emphasized the importance of regular ICT Club meetings, teacher mentorship, and active administrative support to ensure sustainability of the initiative.
Challenges Identified
Despite the success of the launch, several challenges affecting ICT learning at the school were identified.
These included limited ICT infrastructure, unreliable power supply in some instances, limited time allocated for ICT club activities, and varying levels of digital literacy among learners.
Addressing these challenges will be important in ensuring that students can fully benefit from the opportunities provided through the ICT Club programme.
Recommendations for Strengthening ICT Learning
To support the sustainability of the ICT Club, the school was encouraged to allocate regular time for ICT Club meetings and innovation activities.
Improving ICT infrastructure, strengthening administrative support, and maintaining existing ICT equipment will help the school develop a strong digital learning environment capable of nurturing future innovators.
Continued mentorship and follow-up training from KAWA in partnership with the Uganda Communications Commission will also help learners strengthen their digital skills and develop meaningful ICT projects.
A Bright Future for Young Innovators
The launch of the ICT Club at St. Mary’s College Madi Opei marks an important milestone in strengthening digital education and innovation in Lamwo District.
The enthusiasm demonstrated by students and teachers highlights the strong potential of the ICT Club to grow into a vibrant hub for digital learning, creativity, and innovation in the Acholi Sub-Region.
With continued support from KAWA and the Uganda Communications Commission, the initiative is expected to nurture young innovators and future technology leaders in Northern Uganda.
