UNEB updates country on smooth start of UACE examination

10 November 2025, 3:33 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Spokesperson of the Uganda Examinations Board (UNEB), Jennifer Kalule Musamba, has updated the public on the progress of the ongoing national examinations, confirming that the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) papers have started smoothly across the country.

Addressing journalists at a joint press briefing held today in Naguru, Kampala, Kalule said a total of 166,402 candidates are sitting for this year’s UACE examinations from 2,844 centres nationwide.

“The Board was able to deliver and distribute all the examination materials to all storage stations countrywide in good time and without any major challenges. We also briefed various categories of personnel to oversee the field conduct of the examinations about 1,659 scouts and security officers,” she said.

Kalule revealed that 28 candidates are sitting their exams from Uganda Government Upper Prison School, Luzira — including one female and 27 males while 521 candidates have special needs requirements. UNEB has provided the necessary support and an extra 45 minutes for those candidates.

The Board cautioned the public against engaging in any form of examination malpractice, warning that offenders will be prosecuted under the UNEB Act, CAP 259.

“The penalties under the Act range from ten years’ imprisonment to a fine between UGX 20–49 million, or both, upon conviction. To our scouts deployed to oversee the examinations, if malpractice happens under your watch, you will be dealt with under Section 26 (1)(g), which provides for a maximum imprisonment term of five years upon conviction,” Kalule added.

She also highlighted a recent case in Kabale District, where Kisheija Drake, the head teacher of Rwababa Primary School, was arrested for denying a registered candidate the right to sit for Mathematics on Monday because he had not paid an extra UGX 70,000 meant for coaching.

Kisheija was arraigned before the Kabale Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 5th November, and charged with wrongfully denying access to education to a Universal Primary Education (UPE) pupil, contrary to Sections 52(2) and 58(g) of the Education Act, CAP 247.

Kalule further noted that 55 suspects have been arrested in connection with malpractice during the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), including cases of tampering with envelopes, attempted bribery of scouts, and teachers providing external assistance to candidates.

“Some of these suspects have already appeared before court. We thank the police and judicial officials for their vigilance,” she concluded.

The UACE examinations are scheduled to end on 5th December 2025.