17 pregnant candidates sit UCE exams as UNEB reports smooth progress

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Seventeen pregnant candidates are among thousands of students sitting for this year’s Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has said.

According to UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule-Musamba, all 17 candidates have been able to write their examinations, with special arrangements in place for those who develop complications.

“Seventeen candidates are reported to be pregnant, and they have all been able to sit their examinations. Those who get complications are attended to, and where necessary, they are accorded the extra 45 minutes provided for candidates with special needs,” Kalule-Musamba said.

She added that the pregnant candidates are mainly from Pallisa, Busia, and Koboko districts, while three breastfeeding mothers—also in Koboko—are receiving similar support.

Kalule-Musamba also revealed that one candidate from Millennium High School in Koboko delivered a baby girl on October 17, the day of the Chemistry Paper 2 exam.

She made the remarks while addressing Journalists at the police headquarters on Monday, October 27, 2025.

“The candidate went into labour while reporting for checking and was rushed to a nearby Health Centre III, where she delivered her baby by 10:30am. She later sat for the alternative Chemistry Paper 3 last Friday,” she said.

Smooth exercise

Despite these isolated cases, UNEB says the first two weeks of the examinations have been conducted smoothly across the country without any major incidents, leaks, or irregularities.

“Today marks the beginning of the third week in the conduct of the UCE examinations. Candidates are now writing their elective or optional subjects,” Kalule-Musamba said.

She added that under the Competency-Based Assessment, candidates are assessed for at least one elective subject, but preferably two. This morning, they are sitting for the practical paper in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

She commended field supervisors, invigilators, and security officers for their diligence in maintaining the integrity of the examinations.

“The first two weeks ended without any major incidents. There has been no examination leakage or cases of candidates accessing papers before the actual sitting. We applaud our field personnel, security teams, and the Secretariat for effective supervision and coordination,” she noted.

Kalule-Musamba also said the Board had successfully delivered and retrieved scripts across all districts on schedule and expressed gratitude to its partners for supporting logistics and field operations.

The UNEB spokesperson reported that the Board continues to prioritise the welfare and safety of its examination personnel.

“One of our scouts in Soroti was involved in an accident while crossing to our storage station, but UNEB intervened immediately to ensure he received the necessary medical attention,” she said.

Commissioner of Police Maate

She further extended condolences to the Force following the death of Commissioner of Police Godfrey Maate, who had served on UNEB’s Adhoc Security Committee for seven years, and to the family of Tobias Musiguzi, an Area Supervisor from Lwamata who passed away after a short illness.

Meanwhile, UNEB has cautioned candidates against indiscipline during examinations, citing reports of rowdy behaviour in some schools.

“Some schools reported candidates who had to write their examinations under police surveillance. Involvement in improper behaviour is regarded as malpractice,” Kalule-Musamba warned.

She also revealed that making noise, disobeying invigilators, violent behaviour, or disrupting the examination can lead to disqualification. Being a candidate does not place anyone above school rules.

She urged parents to guide their children on discipline during the remaining examination weeks.

PLE

As UNEB finalises preparations for the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), Kalule-Musamba said 817,930 pupils are registered to sit this year’s papers — 389,557 males (47.7%) and 428,373 females (52.3%).

She noted that district-level trainings have been conducted for head teachers, invigilators, and security personnel, while the official briefing for PLE candidates will take place on Friday, October 31.

The candidates will begin their papers on November 3 and 4, starting with Mathematics.

Kalule-Musamba also warned the public against social media fraudsters claiming to have access to UNEB examination papers.

“The Board cautions the public against masqueraders claiming to have access to UNEB exams. We are aware of WhatsApp groups set up for this purpose, and our surveillance teams are monitoring such engagements,” she said.