Wakiso School for the Deaf Launches ICT Club to Empower Inclusive Digital Learning
On July 2, 2025, Wakiso School for the Deaf Secondary School in Wakiso District marked a significant milestone with the official launch of its ICT Club. This impactful initiative is specifically designed to empower students with disabilities through the acquisition of essential digital skills and the fostering of innovation. The event was skillfully facilitated by Kyasima Freedom from KAWA Uganda (Kisubi Associated Writers’ Agency), with crucial support provided by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). This launch signifies a vital step towards promoting inclusive digital literacy and preparing learners for future opportunities in our increasingly technology-driven world.
The launch saw active participation from students across Senior 1 to Senior 6, all of whom demonstrated a keen interest in exploring new ICT innovations. The training session introduced these students to the fundamental principles of digital literacy, basic coding concepts, and various creative ICT tools. It also strongly emphasized the profound importance of technology as a key driver for both academic excellence and the practical solving of real-world problems. The Headteacher, Katongole Steven Richard), extended his heartfelt appreciation to both UCC and KAWA for bringing this truly transformative program to the school, highlighting its immense potential to create invaluable opportunities for learners with hearing impairments.
While the launch itself was undeniably successful, it did encounter certain challenges. An unstable power supply regrettably interrupted some of the training sessions, consequently limiting the precious time available for crucial hands-on practice. To mitigate such disruptions in the future and ensure uninterrupted ICT training, it was strongly recommended that the school invests in reliable backup power solutions, such as robust solar systems or efficient UPS units.
Feedback gathered from both students and teachers was overwhelmingly positive. Students described the session as profoundly eye-opening and deeply empowering, with many expressing a strong and evident desire to continue exploring ICT tools and projects. Teachers, along with the dedicated ICT Club patrons, pledged their commitment to sustain this positive momentum through consistently held regular training sessions. These sessions will specifically focus on practical areas like coding, app development, and various digital projects meticulously tailored to meet the unique learning needs of the students.
The launch of the ICT Club at Wakiso School for the Deaf represents a truly transformative step towards achieving comprehensive digital inclusion, ensuring that learners with special needs are not marginalized or left behind in Uganda’s burgeoning digital revolution. With continued mentorship and support from both UCC and KAWA, the school is well on its way to becoming a leading hub for inclusive ICT skills development, thereby empowering its students to emerge as future innovators and effective problem-solvers.
Special appreciation is extended to UCC, under the distinguished leadership of Hon. George William Nyombi Thembo (Executive Director), James Beronda (UCUSAF Director), and Carolyn Vunia (Manager, ICT Clubs), for their unwavering commitment to effectively bridging the digital divide in schools across the country. We also gratefully acknowledge Engineer Paul Rukundo, Executive Director of KAWA Uganda, whose visionary leadership and dedicated efforts in promoting ICT Clubs and the KAWA CONNECT platform have been instrumental in equipping students with essential modern digital learning tools. The Ministry of Education and Sports, under the commendable leadership of First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni, also deserves significant recognition for strategically prioritizing ICT within the competence-based curriculum, thereby creating an enabling and supportive environment for students to acquire practical, real-world skills.
The school is now making a heartfelt appeal to all its Old Boys (OBs), Old Girls (OGs), committed partners, and compassionate well-wishers to generously support the ICT Club. This crucial support can take various forms, including donations of modern computers, ensuring reliable internet connectivity, providing sustainable solar backup solutions, and establishing enriching mentorship programs. Such invaluable contributions will undoubtedly ensure that Wakiso School for the Deaf continues to thrive as a leading model of inclusive digital learning in Uganda.
