As hymns of praise echoed through the church, the message of the day remained clear: success is not only measured in grades, but also in gratitude, discipline, and a shared vision for a brighter future.
Joy and gratitude filled the air at Naggalama Junior School in Nakifuma-Naggalama Town Council, Mukono District as parents, teachers, pupils, and administrators gathered for a thanksgiving Mass following the school’s outstanding performance in the recently released Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results.
The celebration came after all 52 candidates who sat for the 2025 PLE examinations passed in First Grade — a remarkable achievement that further cements the school’s reputation for academic excellence.
According to the school director, Lawrence Lugoloobi, three of the candidates scored Aggregate 4, placing the school among the top performers in the district and country at large. He noted that this marks the fifth consecutive year the school has produced top grades, a tradition of excellence that began in 2022.
“In 2024, 51 out of our 56 candidates passed in First Grade. In 2023, all 55 candidates passed in First Grade, and in 2022, 48 out of 50 candidates attained First Grade,” Lugoloobi said. “Our fruits in the form of good PLE results shine brighter year after year. The sky is our limit as we strive to excel.”
The thanksgiving Mass was led by Fr. John Baptist Ssonko, the General Spiritual Director of St. Mary’s National Major Seminary Gaba, who commended the school’s leadership for prioritising gratitude to God.
“We have seen some schools celebrate with discos and parties after receiving their results, forgetting to thank God who enabled their success,” Fr. Ssonko said. “It is commendable that Naggalama Junior School chose to return thanks to the Almighty.”
In his homily, Fr. Ssonko also addressed concerns about parenting and discipline in modern society. He expressed dismay that some parents resist corrective discipline for their children, arguing that such attitudes contribute to moral decline among the youth.
“We are who we are because our parents and teachers had the liberty to discipline us,” he said. “Today, some parents want to shield their children from every hardship, yet it is resilience and discipline that shape responsible citizens.”
Fr. Ssonko challenged Lugoloobi to reflect on the school’s journey from its early years to its current status. In response, the director expressed deep gratitude for the progress made.
“I am grateful to God for the journey we have travelled. Our performance improves year after year,” Lugoloobi said. “We aim to become one of the leading schools in East and Central Africa. Beyond academics, we nurture a holistic child by equipping learners with practical skills in bakery, music, dance and drama (MDD), sports, and agriculture.”
The school’s headteacher, Ronald Lujaganya, also thanked God for the consistent success and pledged even greater achievements in the coming years.
“After registering 52 First Grades from last year’s Primary Seven candidates, we are back to the drawing board to prepare for even better results,” he said. “This year, we have more than 80 candidates, and we are determined to raise the bar higher.”
Parents equally expressed pride in the school’s accomplishments. Fredrick Ssonko Batyamuzungu, the chairperson of Gonve Village and a parent, applauded the directors and administrators for their investment in education.
Naggalama Junior School Shines With Fifth Consecutive Year of Top Grades
“Unlike many other schools, our children are happy at Naggalama Junior,” he said. “Last year, my child scored Aggregate Six, and we celebrated that success. I am a living testimony to the school’s commitment.”
As hymns of praise echoed through the church, the message of the day remained clear: success is not only measured in grades, but also in gratitude, discipline, and a shared vision for a brighter future.
