Lira,Uganda | Lira City Education Officer Canon Jane Obeny has raised concern over increasing drug abuse and other negative influences affecting school-going children, warning that communities must do more to safeguard learners if Uganda is to secure a better future.
Speaking as the chief guest during the swearing-in of St. Gracious Primary School’s 2026/27 prefects on Friday, Obeny said the growing sale of alcohol near schools, drug abuse, loud music, and harmful cultural practices are eroding discipline and undermining children’s education. She urged parents, community members, and local leaders to work together in protecting learners from social vices, commended the school for producing disciplined and confident pupils, challenged fathers to play a more active role in raising children, encouraged schools to equip learners with practical life skills alongside academics, revealed that her office will partner with security agencies and local leaders to launch community engagements targeting schools affected by drug abuse and other social vices, and appealed to parents to seek prompt medical treatment for children suffering from malaria instead of relying on schools to manage illnesses.
Speaking on behalf of the School Management Committee (SMC), Ongom Chris praised the school directors, teachers, and parents for transforming the school into a centre of quality education. He said the institution is expanding its infrastructure to accommodate growing enrolment, urged parents to continue supporting the school and encouraged the newly inaugurated prefects to serve with honesty and integrity, noting that they represent Uganda’s future leadership.
The Headteacher of the Boarding Section, Otyang Ronald, welcomed guests to the inauguration ceremony and said the school places strong emphasis on leadership development from an early age because responsible leadership begins in school. He noted that nurturing future leaders reflects the institution’s motto, “Education for Excellence,” and commended the school directors for supporting programmes that promote the holistic development of learners.
In a joint message, newly elected Head Prefects Namudooli Gabriella of the Day Section and Amara Alma Gutu of the Boarding Section pledged to lead with honesty, humility, fairness and integrity, describing leadership as a responsibility to serve rather than a privilege. They thanked the school administration, teachers, parents and fellow pupils for entrusting them with leadership, promised to promote discipline, teamwork, cleanliness and academic excellence, urged fellow prefects to inspire positive change and encouraged learners to believe in their potential, saying one’s background should never determine their future.
A total of 39 girls, alongside their male counterparts, were sworn in as prefects for the 2026/27 leadership term.
The ceremony also marked another milestone for the institution with the official opening of a nursery section at St. Gracious Boarding Primary School, situated on a 15-acre piece of land in Okec-Oyere Cell, Barapwo, Lira City. The new nursery section has been established at the boarding campus, with admission for the third school term currently ongoing for Kindergarten One (K1), Kindergarten Two (K2), and Kindergarten Three (K3).
