Today, we are thrilled to feature Kisaakye Rebecca, one of our technical interns, who recently took her computer science skills out of the classroom and straight into the field.
Before joining our field operations, much of Rebecca’s technical training was rooted in theory and software simulations. She was eager to gain hands-on experience, learn practical network troubleshooting, and see how clean energy and technology directly impact rural communities. Here is a look at her fieldwork experience in Omoro District and Opit.
Field Mission 1: Solar Power & Network Troubleshooting in Omoro
Rebecca’s very first trip took her to Atyang Primary School in Omoro District to troubleshoot a failing solar power system.
Upon inspecting the installation, Rebecca and the team discovered a loose cable connecting the inverter to the batteries. That single faulty connection had cut off power to critical equipment, including the lights, a MikroTik AP, and a PowerBeam M5 400. Once the connection was secured, power was fully restored to the site.
Fixing the solar system was only part of the work, though. Rebecca also took on several computer maintenance tasks:
- Updated outdated Windows operating systems on the school’s laptops.
- Activated Microsoft Office licenses across three HP laptops.
- Installed MS Office and updated antivirus software on an additional desktop.
To wrap up the visit, the team tackled the internet connection at the ICT center. The local Access Point was not serving internet, and the PowerBeam M5 400 at Atyang wasn’t linking properly with the station at Moro Hill in Opit. Rebooting the device restored local communication, but because internet flow remained blocked, Rebecca noted that the LAN cable from the station needed further work.
Field Mission 2: Scaling Moro Hill in Opit
Her second assignment took her to Opit, where BOSCO Uganda operates one of its primary tower sites. Reaching the equipment meant hiking up a steep hill, a tough physical challenge for someone not used to high climbs, but great exercise nonetheless!
Once at the top, Rebecca noticed the inverter making an unusual noise, indicating low power input. The team realized a previous crew had left the solar panel cables unplugged from the batteries. After reconnecting the cables and restoring steady power, Rebecca helped run ping tests across the network devices to confirm full connectivity.
Teamwork, Resilience, and Community Impact
Throughout her field trips, Rebecca experienced firsthand the power of teamwork. Working alongside supportive colleagues who took the time to explain technical details helped her build both confidence and sharp diagnostic skills.
Even when things didn’t go as planned, Rebecca treated every technical glitch not as a roadblock, but as an opportunity to grow as a problem solver.
Looking back on her fieldwork, Rebecca reflected that being a computer scientist isn’t just about configuring routers or writing code it’s about using technology to keep communities connected to information, opportunity, and one another.
We are incredibly proud of Rebecca’s growth, hard work, and positive attitude during her time with BOSCO Uganda, and we look forward to seeing the great things she will accomplish in her career!