UNEB reports successful start of 2026 UACE examinations

10 November 2026, 10:24 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has reported a successful start to the 2026 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations, with no major incidents registered on the first day.

The Board has urged school headteachers and candidates to maintain examination integrity, warning that anyone involved in examination malpractice risks disqualification or cancellation of results.

UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule-Musamba made the remarks in Kampala, emphasising the importance of integrity throughout the examination period, which is being conducted under the theme, “Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through Secure, Credible, Inclusive, and Innovative Processes.”

This is the first group of candidates to sit the UACE examinations under the new curriculum, which was introduced in 2020.

According to UNEB, a total of 203,809 candidates registered for the 2026 UACE examinations from 3,039 examination centres across the country. This represents a 22.4 per cent increase from the 166,400 candidates registered in 2025.

Of the registered candidates, 106,361 (52 per cent) are male, while 97,448 (48 per cent) are female. The Board also registered 41 inmates from Upper Prison Secondary School in Luzira, comprising 40 males and one female.

Kalule-Musamba also noted the need to improve the tracking of learners as they progress through the education system, particularly those who complete primary education but do not continue to higher levels.

Meanwhile, the Headteacher of Kyadondo Secondary School in Matugga, Wakiso District, Hajji Ismael Waliggo, expressed confidence in his candidates’ performance, saying the school had adequately prepared them for the examinations.

Waliggo said the school presented 475 candidates, who started their examinations with Mathematics and History papers. He thanked parents and teachers for supporting the learners.

He also urged parents to continue guiding their children during the holidays, warning them against leaving young people entirely under the influence of social media.

Warigo further revealed that the school still has vacancies for learners seeking admission to different classes next academic year.

One of the candidates attracting attention is John Kakama of Kigezi High School in Kabale District, who was born without arms and uses his feet to write his examinations.

Despite his physical challenges, Kakama is pursuing his education with the ambition of becoming Uganda’s Chief Justice.

Other candidates expressed confidence in their preparations and hoped to perform well.

The 2026 UACE examinations are scheduled to end on December 2