Cleric tips UNEB candidates on courage

Akankwasa anointing candidates of Crested SS with holy oil on Friday. Photos by John Tugume

By John Tugume

As the Senior Four and Six candidates get ready to sit their final exams, a cleric has tipped them to believe in themselves and break away from fear if they are to excel.

The Rev. Irene Akankwasa of All Saints Church Nakasero was praying for the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) candidates at Crested Secondary School in Makindye Kampala when she said God is the source of success.

"Sometimes candidates are gripped with fear. But every other day God is telling you not to fear. Just be strong and courageous and success will come your way," Akankwasa told the students on Friday.

She further shared the story of David and Goliath, emphasising "once you believe, then success belongs to you".

"I would also want to emphasise the fact that cheating should not be tolerated. Cheating is stealing so all candidates must be God-fearing and avoid cheating," the cleric said. 

Candidates and parents of Crested SS praying on Friday

 
Senior Four candidates across the country on Friday underwent briefing ahead of their first paper on Monday.

The Principal of the school, Lydia Ibingira, called on candidates not be worried at all.

"Parents have done their work, teachers have played their part, so the challenge is in the hands of candidates," Ibingira said.

Earlier, the UNEB executive secretary, Dan Odongo, asked religious leaders to preach against exam misconduct.

"I appeal to our spiritual leaders to make it part of their sermons. Preach against this vice as they pray for candidates. Examination malpractice is a vice, a cancer that eats at the very core of the education system in the country," Odongo said.

Ibingira said the school had installed cameras in all examination rooms to ensure no malpractice takes place.

"We want to ask the Police and other school heads to copy from us and do the same. Cameras are good at fighting such vices as exam malpractice," Ibingira said.