UNEB registers 503,055 candidates for 2026 UCE examinations

12 October 2026, 3:21 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) spokesperson, Jennifer Kalule Musamba, has briefed the media at the Uganda Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, on the start of the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations for the fourth cohort of learners under the competency-based curriculum.

The examinations are being conducted under the theme, “Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through Secure, Credible, Inclusive and Innovative Processes.”

Musamba said candidates started their examinations today with Mathematics Paper One in the morning, followed by Chemistry Papers One and Two in the afternoon.

She noted that heavy rains had caused flooding on some roads in different parts of the country, but preliminary reports indicated that the examinations had started smoothly nationwide.

Musamba encouraged candidates to remain confident, saying their preparations and hard work had equipped them with the knowledge needed to excel.

She reaffirmed UNEB’s commitment to conducting valid, reliable, equitable and quality assessments in a professional and innovative manner, leading to the award of internationally recognised certificates.

Musamba revealed that a total of 503,055 candidates had registered for this year’s UCE examinations, compared to 432,165 candidates last year.

Of the registered candidates, 264,722 are female, while 238,333 are male. The examinations are being conducted at 4,514 centres across the country.

She added that 187,918 candidates are sponsored by the government, while 315,132 are privately sponsored.

According to UNEB, the Board is working with various security agencies and contracted professionals to ensure the examinations are conducted securely. More than 2,000 scouts have been deployed countrywide, alongside nearly 600 security personnel.

Musamba warned individuals intending to disrupt the examinations or engage in examination malpractice that they would face the consequences under the law.

She cautioned members of the public against participating in social media platforms that trade in fake examination papers purported to be from UNEB.

Musamba explained that Section 26 of the law provides for penalties against teachers, invigilators, scouts and other individuals who assist candidates to cheat or fail to stop unauthorised assistance to candidates.

She said offenders face a fine of up to 20 million Uganda shillings, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, upon conviction.

Musamba also urged schools to work with the relevant authorities to ensure that all eligible candidates are allowed to sit their examinations, warning that learners who are prevented from taking the examinations must resit them.

The 2026 UCE examinations are scheduled to run until November.