From a Mud-and-Wattle classroom to ACP: Police chief’s story inspires Masindi candidates
ACP Damali Nachuha with one of the candidates
Masindi Miracle Center Church on 20 September 2026 held a dedication service for candidates from more than five schools in Masindi Municipality, where pastors, a senior army officer and a regional police commander offered prayers and advice ahead of national exams about two months away.
Schools represented included Miracle Christian School, Masindi Army Day Primary School and Bright High School.
Pastor Rwomushana Robert Kibuuka, Bishop of Masindi Miracle Center Churches, prayed for the candidates and asked God to give them knowledge, wisdom, understanding and a good memory. He told them they cannot succeed without their participation and cannot fail without their consent. He urged them to look up to people they want to emulate and to study how those people made it in life. He said he expects the 2026 results to be better than last year’s.
Major General Onesmus Kakuru Rubandra, the division political commissar and officer in charge of ideological development in Bunyoro region, thanked the church for organising the service. He told candidates to commit their studies to God and to forgive teachers and colleagues who had wronged them, saying it is hard to pass a subject whose teacher you resent.
“Pray before sitting your exams and ask God for a good memory, wisdom, and avoid indulging in witchcraft because sorcery cannot impart wisdom in you,” he said.
He also gave practical advice. He urged candidates to plan early with personal timetables and avoid last minute cramming, saying the new curriculum rewards understanding. He asked them to limit phone use, especially TikTok, in favour of educational applications, to avoid bad company, to drink enough water and to seek help from teachers on topics they do not understand. He recommended study groups that include high scorers, and asked teachers to give candidates enough time to rest.
On exam day, he said, candidates should arrive about 30 minutes early with pens, mathematical sets and identity cards, read each question carefully, manage their time, start with the questions they know best and avoid malpractice. He advised against discussing finished papers, which he said can cause panic before the next one.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Damali Nachuha, the Albertine North regional police commander, told candidates it does not matter where one studies as long as they work hard and put God first.
“I studied from a rural school,” she said, recalling classrooms of mud and wattle and her start in primary one in 1987. She said she rose to the top of her class and later won a government scholarship to university, and that her own daughter has since been admitted to university on a government scholarship. She urged candidates not to dwell on their challenges but to keep a purpose to look up to.
Pastor Eddie Stress, who said he has been a teacher for 47 years, urged teachers not to give up on their students and told candidates to respect their teachers and show kindness to fellow students. Pastor Angella Stress told the gathering that children are a heritage from God and urged candidates to seek wisdom and understanding.
