Student narrates how he painfully managed to score 20 points in BCM

16 March 2025, 12:25 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Following the release of the 2024 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examination results a few days ago, students across the country are still celebrating their achievements. Of the 112,631 candidates who registered for the three science subjects—Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry—Ssekamate Chrispus from Green Stars High School, Entebbe, was among the very few who managed to achieve an A in all three subjects.

The government of Uganda has been encouraging learners to take up science subjects at the advanced level to produce more scientists who can contribute to the fight against poverty and unemployment, particularly among young people, through various government programmes. During the release of the 2024 UACE results, the First Lady, who also serves as the Minister of Education and Sports, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that policies are effectively implemented.

“As the ministry responsible for higher education, we are going to coordinate our efforts to ensure that we create the necessary policy environment to harmonise training across the higher education sub-sector with the curricula and teaching reforms introduced at the basic and secondary education levels,” she said.

She further urged the higher education sub-sector to take a keen interest in the ongoing process of reviewing the A-Level curriculum over the next four years, as directed by the Cabinet.

Ssekamate Chrispus expressed his excitement and gratitude for his outstanding performance.

“My name is Ssekamate Chrispus. I am so happy that I have managed to achieve 20 points, despite the challenges. I thank God Almighty for this. I also thank my director, who is not just a director but a father to me, and my teachers, who have played a significant role in helping me reach this milestone. I am overwhelmed with joy, it’s unbelievable that I am among the best students in Uganda. I aspire to become a senior dentist. Eh! God is great,” he said.

The director of Green Stars High School in Entebbe, Wakiso district, Hajji Suleman Turye, stated that all their students who sat for last year’s exams met the minimum requirements to join a higher institution of learning.

“I am grateful that Ssekamate has scored 20 points in BCM. I believe he can become a good doctor if he continues on this path. Here, we believe in God, and I think that is one of the reasons our students perform well every year,” he said.

Similarly, Nantongo Shivan Deborah expressed her gratitude to God for her success.

“My name is Nantongo Shivan, from God’s Way High School, Maganjo. I thank God, my parents, and the entire school administration for everything they did to ensure I performed well. I scored 19 points in HED/ICT, and I aspire to become a hotel proprietor. We are now waiting for government sponsorship. It is everyone’s wish to make their parents proud,” she said.

The 2024 UACE examinations were conducted under the theme, “Embracing Security and Holistic Assessment of Learners in a Dynamic Environment.” A total of 141,996 candidates registered, and 140,888 sat for the examinations.