By Olomo Joshua
Kwania, Uganda | More than 1,000 students of Aduku Secondary School in Kwania District have been trained on election management ahead of the school’s prefects elections scheduled to take place in the coming days.
The civic education, conducted on Friday by officials from the Kwania District Electoral Commission in collaboration with the school administration, focused on democratic governance, leadership, electoral procedures, and post-election conduct.
The exercise was facilitated by Allan Robaga, the Election Officer for Inomo Sub-county, and Wilfred Okao, the Election Officer for Akali Sub-county, who said they were deployed by the Kwania District Returning Officer following a request from the school administration.
The officials said the students were taken through the principles of conducting free and fair elections, the dangers of electoral malpractice, the importance of accepting election results, and the responsibilities that come with leadership.
They noted that elections conducted at the school level are similar to those held in the country and provide learners with an opportunity to understand democratic processes at an early age.
According to the electoral officers, the training was intended to nurture responsible leaders and voters while promoting peaceful and transparent elections within the school community.
Daniel Isaac Olola, the teacher in charge of elections at the school, said the institution has consistently organised similar training sessions because of their positive impact on students’ behaviour and leadership skills.
He explained that the programme has helped promote discipline among learners and has contributed to maintaining peace within the school, unlike in some institutions that have experienced student unrest.
Olola added that the knowledge acquired during the training would also benefit students beyond the school environment, especially those who may aspire to leadership positions in their communities and the country in the future.
Students who attended the training welcomed the initiative, saying it had broadened their understanding of governance and leadership.
Sarah Hope Etap, a Senior Four student, and Joshua Opio Alele, a Senior Six student, commended the school administration and the district electoral officials for organising the programme.
The two students said the training had equipped them with knowledge about elections, leadership, and public service, inspiring them to participate actively in leadership at school and in their communities after completing their studies.
They expressed confidence that the skills gained would enable them to contribute positively to democratic governance and ensure that leaders remain accountable to the people they serve.
