By Eric Yiga
Senior Six examinations under the new competency-based curriculum began on a positive note in Mukono on Monday, with candidates settling into their first papers just hours after the official start.
By mid-morning, examinations had been underway for about three hours across centres in the district. Mathematics was the opening paper for many candidates.
At Mukono Police Station, the designated distribution point for examination materials, teachers arrived early to collect the papers. Area Supervisor Constantine Mpuga, accompanied by the head of the scouts, addressed the gathering before the materials were released. Mpuga cautioned teachers against any interference in the conduct of the examinations and urged them to allow supervisors and invigilators to perform their duties without obstruction.
At St. Stephen’s Senior Secondary School in Ddandira, Mukono, the atmosphere was one of measured optimism. Lwanyika Daniel, who heads examinations and serves as Director of Studies, described the day as historic for the school and the country.
“Today we are beginning our papers for the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education exams that are for senior six. It is the first cohort that is sitting the new curriculum, the competency-based exams,” he said. “We have prepared these learners in the best way possible and I believe what they are going to produce will be the best and they are going to give us the best results.”
Invigilators checking the student at St Stephen Mukono Dandira
Lwanyika thanked parents for supporting the students’ welfare, teachers for their efforts, and the National Curriculum Development Centre for guiding the school through the transition. He noted that the school was starting with History and Mathematics, with Chemistry practical scheduled for the following day.
He acknowledged the widespread challenge of unpaid school fees. “We have candidates who are defaulters. It is a big challenge. I know parents are also complaining… everybody in Uganda is complaining.” The school, he said, had brought parents on board, secured payment plans and agreements from some, and allowed all registered candidates to sit the examinations regardless of outstanding balances.
Students echoed a mix of relief, gratitude and determination.
Nasango sar a Senunji, a science candidate offering Physics, Economics and Mathematics with subsidiary ICT, said the school had provided a supportive environment, including seminars and inter-school discussions.
“Personally, I’m starting with mathematics; paper one in the morning and paper two in the evening. I’m privileged to say that we are prepared and everything is set… Hopefully, by the end of today, I hope that God being by our side, we shall be able to score an S from mathematics.”
Webulu Mastulah, another science student taking Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics, was visibly emotional. “I’m excited because God has enabled us to have reached our day… I feel like I’ve been crying. I want to take this opportunity to thank my parents, our teachers who have enabled us to reach this point.”
Mugema Simon Peter expressed deep appreciation for his teachers and for the school’s decision to allow him to sit despite outstanding fees. He also reflected on a health scare in Senior Four when his blood pressure dropped suddenly, an episode that left him hospitalised. “Today, I’m so grateful that I’m not have any camera on my hand… It’s His mercy that has enabled me.”
Other candidates struck similar notes of thanksgiving and confidence. Mugwanya Richard , offering Economics among other subjects, accredited seminars, discussions and continuous assessment for building their readiness. Nambi Vivian said she had been waiting for this day for years.
Nakai Mastula, a Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics candidate, specifically praised her Mathematics teachers Teacher Ben, Mr Nyanzi and Director Zimbe for their work on Papers 1 and 2. “Though there are many challenges that I’ve faced. But I’m so glad that even today I’m overcoming them by doing my examinations… I’m very, very prepared. Very, very confident.”
The smooth start in Mukono comes as the first full cohort of Senior Six students sits the competency-based Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education examinations nationwide. School administrators and candidates alike emphasised preparation, resilience in the face of financial pressures, and a collective hope for strong results
