Acholi rural schools get 220 govt laptops to boost digital learning

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A total of 220 laptops will benefit rural secondary schools in the Acholi sub-region as the Government moves to strengthen digital learning and expand access to technology in education.

The donation, lobbied for by Omoro County MP Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, who also chairs the Parliament Committee on ICT, through the ICT and national guidance state minister, Yorke Alioni Odria, was handed over on August 29, 2026, during Ojok's thanksgiving prayer and birthday celebration at Omoro town council.

Catherine Lamwaka, woman MP Omoro, receiving a laptop d from Dr Hatwib Mugasa, the Executive Director of NITA-Uganda, as the State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Alioni Yorke Odria, looks on. (Photo by Jackson Kitara)

The ministry, in partnership with NITA-Uganda, delivered 220 Acer laptops to Members of Parliament from Acholi to distribute to selected rural secondary schools in their respective districts.

Odria, while handing over the laptops together with Dr Hatwib Mugasa, the executive director of NITA-Uganda, said the donation was part of a broader effort to equip learners with practical digital skills, enhance teaching and research, and connect institutions to global knowledge platforms and opportunities.

“The donation will increase internet penetration, bridge the rural-urban digital divide and support hands-on learning under the new curriculum”, Ondria remarked.

Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, the Omoro County MP, said computer literacy in rural schools was essential for meaningful participation in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Dr Hatwib Mugasa, the Executive Director of NITA-Uganda (left) handing over a laptop to Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, MP Omoro County, as the State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Alioni Yorke Odria (extreme right), looks on. (Photo by Jackson Kitara)

However, he noted that computer literacy levels in rural areas remained significantly lower than those in urban schools.

Ojok also said many people in Omoro could not use mobile phones due to limited MTN and Airtel network coverage, which affects communication and transactions as the world becomes increasingly digital.

He asked the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance to increase digital connectivity in rural areas so that people can participate in the digital economy.

Denis Hamson Obua, the National Resistance Movement national vice chairperson for northern Uganda, applauded voters in Omoro for voting Ojok back into Parliament. He said Ojok was one of the best MPs in Parliament, just like his late father, Jacob Oulanyah Okori.

“We will support Ojok to see that he grows and develops Omoro, just like his father. He is a humble legislator who always speaks with calm,” he said.

Dr Hatwib Mugasa, the Executive Director of NITA-Uganda (left), handing over a laptop to Janeth Phoebe Ayoo Obol, Woman MP, Gulu District. (Photo by Jackson Kitara)

Beatrice Akello Akori, the northern Uganda state minister, who represented the Speaker of Parliament, said the 12th Parliament entrusted Ojok with chairing the committee because that was his area of professionalism.

She said Ojok's role as chairperson of the Parliament Committee on ICT was not about the title, but about steering national policy and ensuring that rural districts were not left behind in the digital age.

Akori added that the position had given Ojok an opportunity to lobby for resources so that students in rural schools could access digital skills.