Joy and grief shared the same space at King David Junior School in Ndejje, Makindye, as 48 Primary Seven candidates sat their final Primary Leaving Examinations paper on Tuesday, November 3. For these pupils, reaching the last day of the national exams was more than an academic milestone. It was a triumph of the human spirit.
A Journey Marked by Loss
The school had expected 61 candidates to sit for the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) exams. Only 48 made it to the final day. The remaining 13 died in a road crash on July 16, 2026, at around 8pm in Kapchorwa district, as they travelled home from a study tour.
Headteacher Muzamir Musagala recounted the painful memory of the accident, which also took the lives of younger learners. Among the deceased were Primary Four pupils Raymond Ochulu, Amaal Nanyonga, Dianah Nyiramugisha and Blair Ssenyonjo. Primary Three pupil Draxler Ggenza also perished, alongside Primary Six learners Janat Nakaweesi and Ian Musiitwa.
Tears of Joy and Resilience
On Tuesday, the survivors cried tears of joy after completing their final paper. Their presence in the examination room stood as a quiet testimony to endurance, healing and the support of a community that refused to let tragedy define their future.
The school community has spent months mourning the lost children while rallying around the survivors. Counselors and teachers worked closely with the candidates to help them cope with trauma and prepare for the exams.
As the 48 candidates walked out of the examination room, they carried with them the hopes of classmates who never got the chance to sit for the papers. Their story is one of unbroken spirits, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, young learners can find the strength to keep moving forward.
