On Saturday, March 9th, 2025, Atiira Seed Secondary School in Serere District officially launched its ICT Club in a vibrant training session led by KAWA Uganda. Located in Atiira Town Council along the Soroti–Serere Road, the school became a new hub for digital empowerment, with students and staff engaging in hands-on ICT activities aimed at boosting digital literacy, responsible ICT use, and creative problem-solving.
The launch was facilitated by Moses Wamanga, an ICT Education Specialist from KAWA (contact: 0772580086). The school was represented by two key figures, Mr. Musasizi Chris (0782141718, chrismusasizi@gmail.com) and Mr. Epenu Richard (0774739910, epenurichard@gmail.com), both of whom played a central role in organizing the day’s events.
The training was well-attended, drawing 6 staff members and over 40 students, with participants mainly from Senior One, Two, and Three. All four departmental teachers were present. A total of 39 networked computers were used during the sessions, which ensured every learner had hands-on access to practice and experiment with real tools. A quick survey also revealed that most of the teachers and a good number of students possessed smart devices, a key step toward digital inclusion.
Key Topics Covered
The training began with an introduction to the ICT Club’s purpose, where students were taken through the core goals of the club – promoting innovation, responsible lab usage, digital skills, and student leadership in ICT matters. Learners were guided through the process of establishing club structures, defining leadership roles, and developing a working schedule for club activities, events, and outreach.
ICT Lab Management and Sustainability followed, highlighting practical steps for keeping the lab functional and sustainable. This included formulating policies for equipment usage, tracking software and hardware inventory, cleaning protocols, and budgeting for upgrades and replacements. The importance of student-led maintenance teams was emphasized.
Next was a highly interactive session on Basic Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting. Students were taught to identify and fix simple hardware and software issues, clean devices safely, and perform basic updates. This built confidence among learners to take care of school computers and assist their peers.
Internet Safety and Cybersecurity Awareness was another major highlight. Participants discussed common online threats such as cyberbullying, phishing, and malware, and were trained on setting strong passwords, recognizing suspicious activity, and browsing safely. Students were encouraged to become digital ambassadors in their communities by promoting safe internet use.
In a much-anticipated session, students dove into Digital Skills Beyond the Curriculum, where they explored modern digital tools, practiced document creation, and were introduced to coding with HTML and Python. Learners were challenged to think beyond classwork and apply digital tools to solve community problems.
The Networking and Internet Usage segment explained how LANs and Wi-Fi work, how to connect securely, and how to evaluate online content for accuracy and relevance. Students learned to use the internet as a powerful learning and research tool.
The training also included Engagement with UCC/UCUSAF on ICT Development. Participants explored the role of the Uganda Communications Commission and the Uganda Communications Universal Service Access Fund in expanding ICT access in schools. They learned about UCC opportunities such as competitions, mentorship programs, and internships.
Lastly, the team focused on Encouraging Innovation and ICT Competitions, where learners brainstormed impactful project ideas aligned with real-life challenges in Uganda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students were introduced to the KAWA-supported regional showcases and UCC national competitions. The training emphasized creativity, practicality, and using technology to address issues like health, environment, and education.
Challenges and Recommendations
Despite the success of the day, the school identified maintenance and repair of old computers as an ongoing challenge. Participants recommended setting up an internal student-led ICT maintenance team and partnering with local ICT professionals for mentorship. There was also a need to engage even more learners from higher classes in future trainings.
Conclusion
The launch of the ICT Club at Atiira Seed Secondary School marks a significant milestone in Serere District’s digital education journey. With support from the Ministry of Education and Sports, UCC, and KAWA Uganda, learners now have the tools and knowledge to become innovators, troubleshooters, and leaders in their communities. KAWA remains committed to supporting the school with ongoing mentorship, access to digital resources through KAWA Connect, and entry into national-level ICT competitions.
View the full photo album here: Training Photos – Google Drive
Let’s keep empowering Uganda’s learners—one ICT Club at a time.
