ICT Club Launched at St. Thomas Girls Secondary School to Empower Young Women with Digital Skills in Kaberamaido District
Kaberamaido District, Lango Sub-Region — March 2, 2026
Students at St. Thomas Girls Secondary School in Kaberamaido District have officially joined Uganda’s expanding network of digital innovators following the successful launch and training of the school’s ICT Club. The activity was facilitated by KAWA (Kisubi Associated Writers Agency) in partnership with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).
The initiative is part of a nationwide programme aimed at strengthening digital literacy, innovation, and technology-based problem solving among secondary school learners across Uganda.
A Key Girls’ Education Centre in Kaberamaido District
St. Thomas Girls Secondary School is located in Alem Ward Parish in Kaberamaido District, within the Lango Sub-Region of Northern Uganda. The school lies approximately 300 kilometres north of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, and about 3 kilometres from Kaberamaido Town, the district’s main administrative and commercial centre.
The school serves learners from Kaberamaido and neighbouring communities, offering young women opportunities for quality secondary education and leadership development. The establishment of the ICT Club now opens a new pathway for students to explore technology, coding, innovation, and digital problem-solving.
The ICT Club launch and training were facilitated by Kyasima Freedom, working closely with the school administration led by Mr. Edyelu Patrick, the headteacher. The ICT Club activities are coordinated by Mr. Ojos Emmanuel, the ICT teacher and club patron.
A total of 37 students participated in the training and orientation session, showing strong enthusiasm for digital learning.
Students Eager to Explore Technology and Innovation
Before the training began, learners were invited to share their expectations about joining the ICT Club.
Many students expressed interest in acquiring practical computer skills beyond the normal classroom experience, learning how to maintain and protect ICT equipment, and improving their ability to use the internet for learning and research.
Others were particularly interested in learning coding, digital design, and technology innovation, while several students hoped the club would help them build teamwork, leadership skills, and creative thinking abilities that are essential for the modern digital economy.
Promoting Responsible Use of Technology
During the orientation, facilitators emphasized that ICT Clubs aim to empower learners to become responsible digital citizens and creative innovators.
Students were encouraged to see technology not only as a communication tool but also as a powerful platform for developing solutions to challenges in their communities.
The ICT Club will also encourage students to take an active role in maintaining the school’s ICT laboratory and safeguarding digital resources, promoting ownership and responsibility among learners.
Practical Digital Skills Training
The training session included interactive demonstrations and discussions covering key digital learning areas such as:
- 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 tools and technology
Through these sessions, students gained an understanding of how digital skills can be applied in sectors such as education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, health, and community development.
Learners 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 continued growth.
Official Launch of the ICT Club
The official launch of the ICT Club included a recorded speech message from Mr. Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission.
In his message, he emphasized the importance of digital literacy, responsible technology use, and innovation among young people, encouraging learners to develop ideas that can transform 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 CONNECT worked closely 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 activities, encourage participation, 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 management of club activities, leadership roles, and student participation 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 inspired learners to begin thinking creatively about technology-driven solutions that can address community challenges, while strengthening teamwork within the ICT Club.
Engagement with School Leadership
Beyond student training, the KAWA CONNECT team held discussions with the headteacher, ICT Club patron, and teachers to strengthen institutional support for the programme.
The discussions emphasized the importance of regular ICT Club meetings, strong teacher mentorship, and continued support from the school administration to ensure the long-term success of the initiative.
Key Challenges Identified
Despite the success of the launch, several challenges affecting ICT learning at the school were identified.
These included unreliable power supply, limited ICT infrastructure, and limited time allocated for club activities.
Other concerns raised included low digital literacy levels among some learners, faulty keyboards on some laptops previously supplied by NITA-U, and limited network access from areas such as the staffroom.
The school administration also requested relocation of the solar battery and internet access point closer to the ICT laboratory to improve accessibility during training and learning sessions.
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.
Strengthening ICT infrastructure, improving power reliability, and repairing faulty equipment will help the school grow into a strong centre for digital learning and innovation.
Continued mentorship and follow-up training from KAWA and the Uganda Communications Commission will also help learners develop innovative ICT projects and strengthen their digital skills.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Innovators
The launch of the ICT Club at St. Thomas Girls Secondary School marks an important step toward empowering young women with digital skills and innovation opportunities in Kaberamaido District.
With the enthusiasm demonstrated by students and the commitment from school leadership, the ICT Club is expected to grow into a vibrant hub for technology learning, creativity, and innovation in the Lango Sub-Region.
KAWA also expressed sincere appreciation to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and UCUSAF for their continued support in expanding ICT education opportunities across schools in Uganda.
