2026 UCE AND UACE CANDIDATES BLESSED AT GULU CATHEDRAL AHEAD OF NATIONAL EXAMS

2026 candidates and religious leaders pose for a photo after a successful blessing mass (Photo by Biko Rombe)

By Biko Rombe

Gulu City

Students preparing to sit the 2026 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations have been urged to remain confident, disciplined and focused as they enter the final stage of their preparations.

The call was made on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, during a Holy Eucharist and blessing of candidates at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Gulu City, bringing together candidates from Bishop Angelo Negri College, Graceland Girls Secondary School and Sacred Heart Secondary School.

The parish priest cathedral parish Fr. Cyprian Ocen P’akech, encouraged the candidates to put their trust in God while continuing to work hard ahead of the examinations.

He reminded them that the blessing was also an opportunity to appreciate teachers, parents and guardians for the support they have provided throughout their education.

“Lord, I have done my best. The rest I leave to you,” he told the candidates, encouraging them to seek God’s guidance for wisdom, knowledge, good health and success not only in the examinations but also in life.

Monsignor Cyprian also cautioned the candidates against distractions during the examination period, urging them to remain focused on their papers and continue revising.

He drew lessons from the biblical story of Martha and Mary, saying candidates should avoid being distracted by issues that could interfere with their preparations.

“You are here to do your papers and to do well,” he said, urging the students to remain respectful to one another and to their teachers.

Monsignor Cyprian while blessing the candidates with holy water

The parish education committee chairperson, Tadeo Wallance, also asked candidates to approach the examinations with confidence and appealed to teachers and school administrators not to panic or transfer anxiety to students.

He cautioned against excessive calls and attempts to obtain examination papers, saying such actions can demoralize candidates.

“Be calm. Be firm,” Wallance told teachers, reminding them that schools have presented candidates for examinations before and many have succeeded.

The head teacher of Bishop Angelo Negri College, Lamwaka Anne Lubwa, said the school has 84 Senior Four candidates and 42 Senior Six candidates sitting the 2026 examinations.

She urged the candidates to “conform” to the demands of the examination period, explaining that they must understand the situation around them and respond appropriately.

“Do not be indiscipline, be spiritual, be hard working,” Lubwa said, adding that where school rules do not provide an answer, students should use common sense.

Apiny Monica, a teacher at Sacred Heart Secondary School, similarly encouraged candidates to remain disciplined and confident, saying the knowledge and preparation provided by their teachers was sufficient to help them perform well.

She also encouraged the students to continue revising, praying and trusting in God as they approach the examinations.

The candidates themselves said the blessing had strengthened their confidence.

Marah Lina Joy Orombi of Sacred Heart Secondary School said the school had conducted internal and external seminars and was ready for the examinations.

Candidates during the blessing mass at St. Jospeh’s cathedral

Opwonya Steward of Bishop Angelo Negri College said the message on confidence had particularly encouraged him, urging fellow candidates not to fear or panic when entering the examination room.

Across the three schools, the candidates include 84 Senior Four and 42 Senior Six students from Bishop Angelo Negri College, 60 Senior Four and 40 Senior Six students from Graceland Girls Secondary School, and 270 Senior Four and 102 Senior Six students from Sacred Heart Secondary School.

The blessing comes just days before the start of the 2026 UCE examinations. According to the examination schedule provided for the event, Senior Four candidates will receive their briefing on October 8 before the examination period begins on October 12.

The candidates are the third cohort to sit the UCE examinations under the new Competency-Based Curriculum.

For the schools and families gathered at Gulu Cathedral, the blessing marked more than a religious ceremony. It was a final reminder to candidates that months of preparation, discipline and support from their teachers and families must now translate into confidence as they face the national examinations.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis