St Mary’s College Lugazi celebrates 2024 results

Saturday was a moment of joy for St Mary’s College Lugazi as staff, students and wellwishers gathered to celebrate the institution’s 2024 A’level and O’level results. The school was among the best performing in the country, in both Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) exams. The colourful ceremony started with Mass led by former vice-chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University Fr Prof. John Chrysostom Maviiri, who is currently the parish priest of Nkokonjeru under Lugazi Diocese.

He was assisted by the school chaplain, Fr Charles Ssempijja, Nyenga Seminary rector Fr Eugene Safari plus Fr Ibrahim Kafeero, Fr Everest Kateregga, Fr Mugaga Kuteesa, Fr Victor Mugabi, Fr Richard Bakaki, Fr Lawrence Tamale, Fr Moses Obbo and Fr Dr Simon Kyambadde (brother of the school director, Moses Ssenyonjo).

Those in attendance were: the education ministry’s commissioner for private schools George Mutekanga, Buganda Kingdom’s second deputy Katikkiro and finance minister Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, Kyaggwe county chief Vincent Matovu and his deputy, Ssenyonjo, who is also the director of Mother Kevin College Mabira. The others were Rev. Lato Masaba from the Anglican Archdeaconry of Lugazi, Anglican chaplain Sarah Watengera, Sheikh Sulaiman Musoke, Lugazi municipality mayor Asea Ozuma and members of the school management committee such as Fridah Ssenyonjo and Jane Nassazi Kyabaggu.

Fr Maviiri (left) interacts with St Mary’s College Lugazi director Ssenyonjo after the Mass

In his sermon, Fr Maviiri appealed to Ugandans to always thank God for the good things he does for them. “The Gospel says ‘go back home and proclaim throughout the town what Jesus has done for you’. Today, we have come back to say thank you for the good performance in UCE and UACE. I think the students can tell us what God has done for them through the success,” he said. Fr Maviiri hailed the teachers for helping students to excel. He appealed to students to concentrate on their studies and ignore any distractions that may come their way. “You are the future of this country. Be transparent in Photos by JULIET LUKWAGO everything you do, don’t be corrupted, support each other. I know you come from different parts of the country, but here, you are now sisters and brothers.” Fr Maviiri also appealed to the former students never to forget their alma mater.

Headteacher rewardS The school’s headteacher, Emmanuel Ofwono, offered the best 2024 UCE performer a sponsorship worth sh10.5m as a token for their hard work. The top eight students in the 2024 UCE received a cash prize of sh3m to help them in their post-A’level endeavours. Teachers whose students performed well were also awarded prizes. Seven students scored 20 points in the 2024 UACE exams. Ofwono said all candidates who sat the exams qualified to join university. School director’s mess age Ssenyonjo thanked parents for entrusting St Mary’s College Lugazi with their children. He said the school gave bursaries worth sh10.5m to the best four UCE students. During the 18 years of its existence, the college has been on an upward trajectory.

St Mary’s College Lugazi’s best 2024 UCE performers receive their rewards during the thanksgiving Mass held at the school on Saturday

Buganda Kingdom’s mess age Nsibirwa, who was the chief guest, thanked the teachers for the good results registered among children. “I want to thank the director for his good heart and for always supporting the Buganda Kingdom. Kabaka’s chiefs are not paid, but they support the kingdom,” he said. Nsibirwa urged learners to take advantage of the diversity in the school to learn coexistence. “You are interacting with people from different cultures, use this chance to know more about them and network for the future,” he said. Nsibirwa asked Mutekanga to help tell the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports to consider reducing the tax levied on private schools.

Buganda Kingdom’s Nsibirwa hands a cheque to one of the best 2024 UACE students, Nickson Wabwire, as his father, Richard Wabwire (second left), and Ofwono (left) look on

Commiss ioner’s mess age Mutekanga encouraged the students to embrace ICT plus vocational skills. He said celebrating milestones inspires students to work hard and grow professionally. Florence Okello, a mother of one of the candidates, said such occasions allow students to reflect on their experiences. “This not just about the event itself, but about recognising the journey, building connections and inspiring future success. We thank the school” she said