This study intended to establish the extent to which guidance and counselling influence students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Masuuliita Town Council, Wakiso District. The study was guided by the following objectives: Establish how: career guidance; management of peer influence and learning skills affect students’ academic performance in secondary schools. The study mainly adopted a quantitative research approach employing a cross-sectional design where random and purposive techniques were applied to select a total of 221 participants including; students, teachers and school counselors who participated in the study. Study findings revealed that; academic performance (AP) and career guidance (CG) with r = 0.705** , was positive with probability value (p = 0.000) less than (α = 0.01) confirming that, there is a correlation between the two variables; academic performance (AP) and management of peer influence (PI) with r = r= 0.383** , was positive with probability value (p = 0.000) less than (α = 0.01) confirming that, there is a correlation between the two variables and also academic performance (AP) and learning skills (LS) with r = 0.352** , was also positive with probability value (p = 0.000) less than (α = 0.01) confirming that, there is a correlation between the two variables. It was therefore concluded that; Career guidance; management of peer influence and strategic learning skills positively impact students’ academic performance in secondary schools and so, it was recommended that; schools should offer students a range of career exploration activities; foster a supportive and inclusive environment, also offer academic planning and goal setting support: and should facilitate study skills workshops and workshops on exam preparation.

A Research Dissertation Submitted to the School of Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Counselling Psychology at Nkumba University, Entebbe - Uganda