KAMPALA, UGANDA – School administrators and head teachers from across the country have convened at the UMA Multi-Purpose Hall in Lugogo for the 2026 National Senior One Selection Exercise.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The two-day event, running from February 12 to 13, will determine the secondary school placement of over 730,000 learners who successfully completed their Primary Leaving Examinations.
According to the Ministry of Education and Sports, the selected students are expected to report to their respective secondary schools on March 3.
The atmosphere at the UMA Show Grounds was one of meticulous organisation, with rows of school representatives seated before large screens displaying applicant data.
Ministry officials moved between stations, overseeing what is widely regarded as one of the most consequential exercises in Uganda’s education calendar.
The Ministry of Education and Sports, through Director of Basic Education Dr. Tony Mukasa, underscored the exercise’s role as a critical link between primary education and secondary opportunities.
Addressing delegates at the opening session, Dr. Mukasa reaffirmed that enhanced digital systems are now in place to guarantee fair and efficient placement for every qualified learner.
“This exercise is the bridge between primary education and the opportunities that secondary schooling provides. We have strengthened our digital systems to ensure that every qualified learner is placed fairly and efficiently,” he said.
The deputy head teacher of Moroto Parents Secondary School in the Karamoja sub-region, Mr. Edward Okwi, confirmed the institution will maintain its cut-off point at 28 aggregates.
He explained that the deliberate decision aims to expand access to secondary education for more learners, noting that lowering barriers at this stage can fundamentally alter a child’s future trajectory.
“Our decision is deliberate. We want to ensure that more learners in Karamoja can access secondary education. Lowering barriers at this stage changes the trajectory of a child’s life,” Mr. Okwi said.
The selection criteria consider learners’ aggregates, preferences, and available spaces in both government-aided and private secondary institutions, marking for many schools the beginning of intense planning for the academic year ahead.
Successful candidates can expect admission letters in the coming days, as thousands of families await news that carries the weight of futures being written, one placement at a time.
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