Kole, Uganda | The Executive Director of Wisdom High School, Ambrose Ogwal, has defended the school’s low-fees model while announcing a Shs41 million reward package for top-performing students and teachers following exceptional 2025 national examination results.
Speaking during a thanksgiving prayer, Women’s Day celebration, and welcome ceremony for Senior One and Senior Five students on Tuesday, Ogwal said the school remains committed to offering “value for money” education despite its rising academic dominance.
He revealed that while many top-performing schools charge over Shs2.3 million in fees, Wisdom High School maintains an average of about Shs1 million, making quality education accessible to ordinary Ugandan families.
Ogwal explained that the decision to reward both staff and learners with Shs41 million was intended to motivate excellence and recognize hard work across the institution.
Each of the eight candidates who scored 20 points at UACE received Shs750,000, while teachers were also rewarded for their role in the outstanding performance.
He noted that the school believes in rewarding excellence and encouraging both learners and staff to aim higher, adding that its success is rooted in discipline, teamwork, and a strong culture of prayer.
Ogwal also pointed to national and regional rankings as proof of the school’s growing dominance, noting that Wisdom High School currently leads in Northern Uganda.
He said that according to rankings by New Vision and Monitor, the school is ranked number one in Northern Uganda and continues to top even when the West Nile subregion is included.
He added that the school’s next target is to outperform leading institutions in Eastern Uganda, noting that a school identified as Amus College had surpassed them, prompting renewed focus on improvement.
Ogwal explained that the institution now aims to become a national champion, not only in Northern Uganda and West Nile but also in Eastern Uganda and across the entire country.
Despite the competition, he expressed satisfaction with the school’s national standing, noting that being ranked among the top-performing schools nationwide.
Ogwal emphasized that unlike many institutions, the school prioritizes thanksgiving prayers rather than public celebrations after the release of results.
The school registered remarkable results in both UCE and UACE 2025. At the UCE level, all candidates passed in Division One, with the majority scoring As and Bs.
At UACE, eight candidates scored 20 points, continuing a steady rise from one top scorer in 2023 and six in 2024.
Other top grades included 16 candidates with 19 points, 21 with 18 points, 29 with 17 points, 51 with 16 points, and 55 with 15 points.
Out of 438 candidates who sat for the examinations, the school ranked 12th nationally and emerged the best in Northern Uganda in both Arts and Sciences.
Ogwal said the school has built a reputation for transforming students who join with average grades into top national performers.
He attributed this to a strong academic system, discipline, and commitment from teachers and parents.
Ogwal acknowledged the contributions of the Te-Cel Group, represented by Lira City businessman Geoffrey Etwop, for their support in helping the school grow and develop steadily.
Beyond academics, Wisdom High School is investing heavily in co-curricular excellence. The school has registered notable success in sports, particularly in girls’ football.
Ogwal noted that the institution is expanding its reach across multiple disciplines, including boys’ football, debating, and netball, adding that the school now has the capacity to excel in various areas.
He explained that while many schools in Uganda, especially in Northern Uganda, use sports to promote their institutions, Wisdom High School has adopted a different approach of using its academic strength to promote sports and give back to the community.
He added that the school is supporting talent development through bursaries awarded to students excelling in sports and other fields.
Ogwal further revealed that the school is constructing a 10,000-seat mega stadium in phases, with the initial phase costing Shs189 million and the total project estimated at about Shs900 million.
Rev. Johnson Ogema of Victory Outreach Ministry, the main celebrant and chief guest, encouraged the Lango community to embrace prayer, worship, and gratitude in their daily lives. He praised Ambrose Ogwal and his wife, Dr. Linda Ogwal, for founding Wisdom High School, noting that their initiative is making a significant impact on Uganda’s education sector.
Imat Joan Pacuoto, former Lira District Resident District Commissioner, urged women in senior positions to uphold their reputations and maintain mutual respect in the workplace.
Ajuri County MP-elect Fred Jalameso commended the school’s leadership and stakeholders, describing the achievements as a result of collective effort and vision.
He urged students to remain disciplined and focused, noting that those who excel must embrace greater responsibility.
Jalameso also encouraged learners to pursue higher education and become impactful citizens guided by integrity and faith.
Founded in 2018, Wisdom High School has grown to a population of 1,934 students, positioning itself as one of the leading academic institutions in the region.
With consistent improvement in results, affordable fees, and continued investment in infrastructure, the school is steadily strengthening its place among Uganda’s top performers.
