Tragedy in Lira as P7 Candidate Dies En Route to PLE Examinations

Tragedy struck the education sector in Lira District on Tuesday morning after a Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) candidate lost his life in a road accident while heading to his examination center.

The victim, Joshua Okwir Kaka, was a pupil at Begomary Primary School in Ober Parish. He was traveling on a motorcycle with two classmates toward Ober Primary School, which was their designated examination host center, when an unidentified vehicle reportedly forced them off a degraded road.

The crash occurred just 200 meters from their destination. Kaka sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the Emergency Unit at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his wounds shortly after arrival.

Lira District Inspector of Schools, Mr. Patrick Olwit, confirmed the devastating incident, noting that Kaka had been in critical condition before his transfer to the regional referral hospital.

The accident also affected the two other pupils on the motorcycle. Joshua Ogwang Oyugi suffered a serious head injury and severe arm bruises, leaving him hospitalized and unable to sit for his papers. Meanwhile, Kizito Elwa sustained minor injuries and showed incredible resilience by walking into the examination room to write his morning paper after receiving first aid.

North Kyoga regional police spokesperson, Mr. Patrick Jimmy Okema, stated that he was still awaiting a full field report regarding the vehicle involved and the exact circumstances of the crash.

Despite this somber event and a separate incident involving another candidate who collapsed due to a pre-existing heart condition before recovering to sit the exam, educational authorities reported a largely calm and orderly start to the national assessments. Over 790,000 candidates nationwide participated in the two-day examinations, with officials confirming no malpractice cases during the morning sessions.

Read more details on the Daily Monitor.