Lira, Uganda | St. Gracious Secondary School has registered a major academic breakthrough in both Northern and Eastern Uganda after 42 of its candidates secured admission on government sponsorship to various public universities for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Breakdown of the placements shows that 25 students were admitted to Makerere University, five to Lira University, and another five to Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Four students joined Mountains of the Moon University, while one student each was admitted to Gulu University, Kyambogo University, and Busitema University.
The admissions are dominated by science programmes, reflecting the school’s strong performance in the science combinations. Seven students were admitted to pursue Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, while others secured slots in Pharmacy, Nursing Science, Midwifery Science, Biomedical Science, and Public Health.
Agriculture-related courses also attracted a significant number, with seven students admitted to pursue Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Other programmes include Software Engineering, Industrial Chemistry, Cytotechnology, Animal Production and Technology Management, Conservation Biology, and Fisheries and Aquaculture, among others.
The development follows an impressive performance in the 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations.
Speaking after the release of the results last month, the school principal, Martin Ojok Anyuru, described the performance as a milestone for the institution.
He revealed that 25 candidates scored 20 points, 18 scored 19 points, and 22 obtained 18 points. In addition, 32 candidates scored 17 points, 37 obtained 16 points, and 45 scored 15 points.
A total of 489 candidates sat the examinations, a figure Anyuru said reflects increasing trust from parents and guardians.
He attributed the strong performance to the dedication of teachers, especially those handling Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics (BCM), noting that the science combination continues to produce competitive results.
Anyuru said the trend of students qualifying for government sponsorship will motivate more learners in Lango sub-region to pursue A’Level and eventually university education.
“When students progress to university, they are better placed to compete for jobs and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
He also urged students to aim higher by pursuing postgraduate studies after completing their first degrees.
The headteacher appealed to parents to have confidence in schools within the region, saying they are capable of delivering quality education comparable to institutions in Kampala.
Of the 25 candidates who scored 20 points, 11 are girls, and 14 are boys. The school’s national merit admissions have also shown a steady rise, with 42 students qualifying in 2025, including seven admitted for Medicine and Surgery, compared to 31 in 2024 (six for medicine), 30 in 2023 and 26 in 2022.