LIRA District, Uganda – The chief guest at the ceremony was the Minister of Health, who also doubles as the Lira City Woman MP, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero.
While addressing students, parents, and several leaders from the school premises on Saturday, April 19, 2025, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng quoted from the Bible (Proverbs 29:18), saying, “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but happy is he who keeps the law.” She told the students that St. Gracious School is grooming them for a better future for Uganda and advised parents to pray for their children every day, noting that reading, interacting, and getting to know one another is a challenge.
She praised Dr. Patrick Olet, the director of the school, for taking very good care of the students, noting that he has a clear vision without signs of decline or collapse.
Speaking about the law of sowing and reaping, she quoted Luke 6:38, advising students to sow love instead of hatred. “When you sow lies, selfishness, intrigue, corruption, or love, you reap exactly what you sow,” she said.
Minister Aceng commended the school for awarding various gifts to the best-performing students and congratulated parents for their commitment in paying school fees. She urged students not to disappoint their parents who always struggle for their well-being.
Dr. Patrick Olet was applauded by the Minister, the Board of Governors, and parents, including MP Alum Santa of Oyam District, for lifting the standards of education and discipline among students in Lango and Northern Uganda at large.
Dr. Olet was recently awarded a police medal for his unwavering contributions to national development. He is also among the prominent entrepreneurs in Lira City, having established schools and hotels, thereby creating jobs for the young generation in Northern Uganda.
The RCC of Lira City, Lawrence Egole, described Dr. Patrick Olet as one of the greatest drivers of development in the Lango Sub-region. Egole also thanked the business community for contributing to the progress of Lira City and the country in general.
He further praised St. Gracious Secondary School as a disciplined institution and thanked the school director, administration, and board for nurturing well-rounded students who have embraced multiple cultures and can perform cultural dances from Acholi, Lango, and Buganda communities accurately. He emphasized the importance of instilling patriotism in the young generation.
The headteacher, Anyuru Marthin, said the school was founded on Friday, November 1, 2019. It currently has an enrollment of 1,710 students and another branch at Leo Atubo Campus.
Ojok Julius Akecho, the Regional Coordinator of the Patriotism Program in the Lango Sub-region, said the patriotism program has now been completed in Kwania, Apac, and Lira districts.
Lt. Ambrose Anyima of the UPDF Engineer Brigade, who witnessed the pass-out, commended Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng for her efforts in the health sector, especially her support for the Lango Sub-region. He also praised the director of St. Gracious Secondary School for being exemplary to other schools.
Prof. Etom, the Chairperson of the Board of Governors of St. Gracious, called upon parents to be responsible and collaborate with teachers. He noted that the school’s performance graph is rising compared to other schools in the country.
Other dignitaries who attended the pass-out ceremony included Lira District RDC Lillian Eyal, ARCC Proscovia Ayoo Otyek, Boney Otucu, ARCC Boney Ferdinand Okello Alele, and DPC Lira CPS SP Ampire, among others.
