The National Youth Office of the Uganda Episcopal Conference is calling on Catholic-founded schools to place greater emphasis on the spiritual development of their learners, especially as they approach their final examinations.
This appeal was made by Joyce Zako, the National Youth Coordinator of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, based at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat in Nsambya.
She spoke while leading a group of young people from various Catholic dioceses of Uganda on their annual pilgrimage to Kibeho, Rwanda.
Zako noted that the spiritual dimension is increasingly being neglected in many schools, which has led to many learners no longer taking their faith seriously.
To address this, the Lay Apostolate Office organizes the annual pilgrimage each September.
The pilgrimage serves multiple purposes, including presenting young people before Mother Mary as they prepare for their final exams at different educational levels.
Additionally, the pilgrimage seeks the intercession of Mother Mary ahead of the National Youth Conference held annually in December.
In light of this, Zako urges all Catholic-founded schools across the country to encourage their learners to participate in such pilgrimages.
The week-long pilgrimage took place from September 1st to 6th, 2025.
By Florence Nangendo
2nd Sept 2025
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