The Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Hon. George William Nyombi Thembo, has urged educators to embrace the digital revolution, emphasizing that artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the education sector.
Speaking on Friday, March 28, at Mengo Secondary School during the Thanksgiving Service for the Church of Uganda’s Directorate of Education Services, Nyombi Thembo highlighted that AI and digital tools are redefining traditional learning methods.
He noted that teachers are no longer the sole depositories of knowledge but facilitators of knowledge management, as learners today have vast access to information, often surpassing their teachers.
“Information Communication Technology (ICT) has become a household necessity, with children increasingly exposed to smartphones and digital content,” Nyombi Thembo stated.
He called upon educators to take the lead in guiding students on responsible digital content consumption and ensuring that technology is used as a tool for learning and innovation.
The UCC Executive Director stressed the importance of schools integrating AI-powered learning tools to enhance education delivery and prepare students for the evolving job market.
“AI presents an opportunity to personalize learning, automate administrative tasks, and equip students with skills relevant to the 21st century,” he added.
Reaffirming the commitment to advancing education, Rev. Canon Dr. Paul Kakooza, the Church of Uganda’s Director of Education Services, underscored the importance of integrating digital tools into learning.
He highlighted ongoing initiatives such as rigorous training on the new curriculum in collaboration with the National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC), sensitization campaigns for Church of Uganda school stakeholders, and enhanced school inspections.
Rev. Canon Kakooza called for partnerships with institutions like Uganda Christian University (UCU) to enhance digital literacy among educators.
He commended UCU for launching an Administrative Law Course for headteachers, aimed at equipping school leaders with legal knowledge and best practices in service delivery.
He further appealed to UCC to collaborate with the Church of Uganda Directorate of Education to bridge the digital divide in Church-founded schools, ensuring equitable access to ICT resources.
In his remarks, Mr. Grace Nantagya Ssebanakitta, the Chairperson of the Church of Uganda Heads of Education Institutions Association (COUHEIA) and Headteacher of Mengo Senior School, emphasized the need for leadership training in schools.
He proposed the establishment of a Leadership Training Center to equip teachers and headteachers with skills necessary to navigate the evolving education landscape.
“As educators, we must invest in leadership training to ensure that our schools are not just centers of learning but also hubs of ethical leadership and innovation,” Ssebanakitta said.
He stressed that strong leadership is key to fostering academic excellence, ethical governance, and sustainable development in education institutions.
