UNEB begins marking as examination malpractice cases rise

25 November 2024, 1:22 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) spokesperson, Jennifer Kalule Musamba, during a joint press briefing at the Uganda Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, confirmed the board’s readiness to begin the marking exercise. “We would like to report that three out of the four examinations for this year have been successfully completed, and preparations are underway for the marking of the scripts for PLE, UCE (new and old curriculum),” she stated.

The board also noted that for the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), the high-entry papers were completed last week. “This week, candidates continue with the low-entry papers, starting with Subsidiary ICT in the morning and Music Paper Three in the afternoon,” Jennifer confirmed.

For the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), UNEB is set to begin marking the scripts. A total of 7,500 examiners have been contracted for this level, and coordination has already commenced. Examiners invited for PLE are expected to report to their respective centres on 30th November 2024. Those who have not received any communication should cross-check with the secretariat. The marking exercise will be conducted across 13 centres.

Preparations for scoring the pioneer candidates of the new lower secondary curriculum are also in their final stages. According to UNEB, this process will be conducted from 13 centres, two of which will also host examiners for the transitional examination. One centre has been specifically designated for the transitional examination, making a total of 14 centres, a reduction from the previous 20.

Under the new curriculum, the number of subjects has been reduced from 46 to 36, while the papers have decreased from 126 to 69. Consequently, the number of examiners has also been reduced from 12,000 to 7,000. Invitations for accredited examiners will be delivered to area supervisors this week. Senior examiners for UCE are expected to report to their coordinating centres on 30th November, while the remaining examiners will report on 6th December 2024.

UNEB also reported UNEB also reported several cases of examination malpractice. “A number of examination malpractice cases have been reported by our scouts in the field, while others are being handled by the police. Our legal team is analyzing the cases alongside the police,” Jennifer said. Police on Friday arrested the Headteacher of Kitende S.S. on Entebbe Road, Ssembatya Jimmy, for allegedly damaging an envelope containing a Sub Maths paper. He was detained and later released on bond as investigations continue.

According to the board, in Kiira division, Mugaga Ramathan (24) and four others will appear before the Magistrate on 27th November 2024 for mention and bail application. They are accused of unauthorised possession of examination materials. In a related case, Babeko Albert and three others were convicted and sentenced to either a fine of 5 million Shillings each or 12 months’ imprisonment as an alternative.

In Mpigi district, Dhabangi Charles and three others were remanded until 3rd December 2024 for mention and bail application. They are charged with conspiracy to commit examination malpractice. Police are also searching for a teacher suspected of writing answers on a blackboard during an examination. In Tororo district, in the case of Uganda vs. Ejangu Moses alias Professor Moses and Juuko Dennis, A1 pleaded guilty to multiple counts and was sentenced to 18 months on each count, to run consecutively for a total of 36 months. A2, who pleaded not guilty, was released on bail and is due for a hearing on 26th November 2024.

During the same briefing, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, Luke Oweyesigire, urged the general public to avoid swimming in rivers. This follows the confirmation of one person’s death while attempting to swim in a river. “We encourage people to swim in gazetted areas, such as lakes, but not in rivers because we do not have policemen monitoring swimming activities in rivers,” he said.