In preparation for the upcoming National Conference on Communications-NCC 2022, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) in collaboration with the Makerere University College of Engineering, Art, Design, and Technology has started involving Secondary Schools with ICT clubs in digital Innovations. The idea is to have students work on new or ongoing ICT-related innovations under mentorship from CEDAT and KAWA which is the implementing agency. The NCC conference will take in Mid May 2022 in Kampala with full funding from UCC and UCUSAF.
The first event was the online meeting and induction of the ICT club Patrons and teachers which took place on Tuesday. The meeting was opened by Dr. Edwin Mugume of CEDAT who is also the Chair of the conference. He introduced the team he is working with and emphasized the need for involving students in the quality generation of ideas at every step of the innovation. He assured the Club Patrons of the Support and mentorship from CEDAT towards the preparations for the competitions. The innovations can be anything, ranging from apps to hardware-based prototypes. The winners will pitch their innovations at the main conference.
Dr. Cosmas Mwikirize, the Chair of the Innovations and CEDAT lecturer gave an overview of the roadmap to the Innovations Competition. The preparation committee members meet every week to discuss the strategies for the success of these technological creative projects among ICT club members all over the country. Other lecturers on the team are Dr. Mary Nsabagwa, Berna, and Alexander Muhangi Matovu.
Emmanuel Muyomba of UCC/UCUSAF explained the mandate of UCC and the role it is playing in supporting the underserved areas. He elaborated more about the uniqueness of the NCC in terms of bringing in ideas from the academic as a way of strengthening local IT solutions. The NCC aims to promote innovation, research, and collaboration around emerging technologies, offering a platform to brainstorm on how they can be leveraged to provide solutions for everyday problems in all sectors – from health, agriculture, business to entertainment.
Moses Wamanga of KAWA Uganda guided the participants through the sample innovative projects in connection to the new curriculum and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The participants came from the following schools with ICT clubs:
St Henry’s College Kitovu, Mbarara High School, Tororo Girls’School, Bududa Secondary school, St. Charles Lwanga S.S Kasasa, Lutengo Secondary School, St Mary’s College Rushoroza, Muni Girls’ Secondary School, Jinja College, Ntare School, Kasese Secondary School, Lyantonde SSS- Kasambya, Lungulu seed secondary School, St Theresa SS Kungu, Moroto high school, Lira Town College, Bishop Cipriano Kihangire SSS, St Mary’s College Kisubi, Apac SS, Busia Trust Secondary School, Francis Ayume memorial SS Koboko, Mbale High School, Bwikya Islamic institute, St. Mugagga Secondary Kiganda, Nalinya Lwantale Girls SS, Masindi Secondary School, St. Joseph’s Vocational School, Mbarara, Pigire secondary school, Kamod SS, Muntuyera high school Kitunga, Kalinabiri Secondary School, Masindi Secondary School, Kazo secondary school, St Theresa girls SS Masindi, Mbarara High School, Namilyango College, Kigezi High School, Rwenkobwa SS, Elite High School Entebbe, Kansanga Seed SS, Ediofe Girls’ S.S – Arua, Makerere College School, ST. Gracious Secondary School-Lira, Pallisa Secondary School, Nabisunsa Girls’ School, Trinity College Nabbingo, Arua Secondary School, Busia secondary school, St. Elizabeth Girls’ SS -Mityana, Iganga Secondary school, Arua Public Secondary school, Pope John Paul II Memorial college, Doctor Obote College Boroboro, Gulu High school, PMM Girls, Dabani Girls Secondary School, Kongunga High School, St. Elizabeth Girls Sec School Mityana, Kongunga High School, Busoga College Mwiri and Bukooli College.
how do we join ict club
Hope there is still room for other schools to come on board. This is good for our students and the nation at large. Hope my school will join you next year.
Thanks