920,833 candidates begin 2026 PLE examinations

3 November 2026, 10:09 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

A total of 920,833 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) candidates are today beginning their final examinations across the country.

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has repeatedly cautioned school administrators, examination officials and other concerned parties against engaging in examination malpractice, warning that offenders risk having results cancelled and facing arrest in accordance with the law.

According to UNEB Spokesperson Jennifer Kalule-Musamba, the Board has deployed 1,544 support personnel to assist 4,655 candidates with special examination needs, comprising 2,352 males and 2,303 females.

She said the 2026 PLE examinations will be conducted at 16,478 examination centres across the country, including Uganda Upper Prison School in Luzira, where 53 candidates, comprising 47 males and six females, will sit their examinations.

Musamba added that UNEB had also deployed 162 district monitors and 13,738 scouts to oversee the examination process. However, she warned all examination officials against participating in malpractice or allowing it to take place under their watch.

“The Board will not tolerate any officer engaging in examination malpractice. If you are a scout, and malpractice happens in your area of deployment, you will also be responsible because it means that you slept on duty,” she emphasised.

She was addressing journalists yesterday in Naguru, Kampala.

The 2026 UNEB theme is: “Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through Secure, Credible, Inclusive and Innovative Processes.”

Meanwhile, the Headteacher of Sheehan Standard Day and Boarding Primary School in Rubaga Division, Joseph Kizito, has urged parents not to give candidates excessive amounts of money during the examination period, saying this could distract them from their studies.

“As a school, we are ready. I want to thank our parents for supporting the school throughout this hard period when the economy is facing challenges. I would also want to request the parents not to give much money to these candidates. They will be thinking about that, which will affect their performance,” he said.

The candidates are beginning the examinations with Mathematics this morning, followed by Social Studies in the afternoon.

Tomorrow, they will sit Science in the morning before concluding with English in the afternoon.