UNEB deploys 1,000 scouts, security operatives to guard UACE exams
Musamba cautioned those intending to obtain or circulate examination papers illegally, saying the law provides for severe penalties.
Jennifer Kalule, UNEB public relations officer, addresses journalists during the weekly police briefing at Police Headquarters in Naguru on November 9, 2026. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)
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The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has deployed more than 1,000 scouts alongside security and surveillance personnel to oversee the conduct of the 2026 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations, which started today (November 9).
The deployment is intended to safeguard examination materials, prevent malpractice and ensure that candidates across the country sit the examinations under similar conditions.
UNEB principal public relations officer Jennifer Kalule Musamba said the board had strengthened its security arrangements to protect the credibility of the examinations and deter individuals intending to compromise the process.
“Over 1,000 scouts have been deployed by the board to oversee the safe conduct of the UACE examinations countrywide. We also have a number of security and surveillance operatives working along with the team to ensure the security of the examination,” Musamba said.
She made the remarks in a statement on the state of security of examinations at the commencement of UACE today.
The examinations started with science students sitting Principal Mathematics Paper One, while candidates in the Arts category wrote History Paper One.
A total of 203,809 candidates registered for this year’s UACE examinations, representing a 22.4% increase from the 166,400 candidates who registered last year.
"The candidates are sitting their examinations at 3,039 centres countrywide. Of the total candidates, 106,361 (52%) are male, while 97,448 (48%) are female," Musamba revealed.
The registration also includes 41 inmates from Luzira Upper Prison Secondary School under examination centre U3120. "Of these, 40 are male and one is female."
This year’s candidates are the first cohort to have undergone the Competency-Based Assessment model at Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) level in 2024.
Although the Advanced Level curriculum has not been completely overhauled, the candidates have been studying under an aligned Competency-Based Curriculum, as guided by the National Curriculum Development Centre, Musamba revealed.
She said UNEB had also aligned its assessment to reflect the curriculum modifications. “Accordingly, the board has also aligned the assessment to reflect the same modification,” she said.
Musamba cautioned those intending to obtain or circulate examination papers illegally, saying the law provides for severe penalties.
“The Board once again cautions all those persons contemplating involvement in any form of examination malpractice that they will be dealt with in accordance with the UNEB Act, Cap 259,” she said.
She also warned candidates and members of the public against joining social media platforms demanding money while claiming to have access to UACE examination papers.
“Please be advised that those are scammers. No one will access the legitimate examination papers before the candidates at the set time," Musamba said.
Under Section 25 of the UNEB Act, Cap 259, unauthorised possession of an examination paper, examination material or information purported to relate to an examination is an offence.
A person who wilfully possesses or attempts to obtain an examination paper or related material before or during an examination faces a fine not exceeding 1,000 currency points (sh20m), imprisonment for up to five years, or both. A currency point is equivalent to sh20,000.
The law prescribes stiffer penalties for individuals, who assist candidates to obtain unauthorised examination materials. Under Section 25(2), such offenders face a fine not exceeding 2,000 currency points, equivalent to sh40m, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.
Where the offender is a teacher, the Act further provides for disciplinary action under the laws governing the teaching profession.
Invigilators and scouts were also warned against negligence. Musamba said those who allow malpractice to take place under their watch would be held accountable under Section 26(1)(g) of the Act.
The provision attracts a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of up to sh20m, or both upon conviction.
Special needs candidates
Musamba said the board has deployed 107 personnel to provide the necessary support, while candidates who do not require support personnel will be given an additional 45 minutes to complete their examinations.
Blind candidates have been provided with Braille machines, question papers and answer sheets, while others with visual impairments will use modified-print examination papers, large-print materials or transcribers, depending on their needs.
Candidates with hearing impairments will be supported by sign-language interpreters.
Schools warned against blocking candidates
UNEB also cautioned school directors and heads of examination centres against preventing duly registered candidates from sitting their examinations over outstanding school fees.
In line with guidance from the Ministry of Education and Sports, UNEB advised schools to allow all registered candidates to sit their examinations and instead agree with parents and guardians on how outstanding fees would be paid.
The Board recommended that schools enter into memoranda of understanding with parents and guardians on payment arrangements.
Musamba said UNEB would assist schools to recover their money by withholding the results of candidates, who had not cleared their outstanding fees by the time results are released.
The 2026 UACE examinations are being conducted under the theme, 'Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through Secure, Credible, Inclusive and Innovative Processes'.
74 suspects apprehended during PLE
On the security of the recently concluded Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), the board said the exercise had been successfully conducted across the country, although there were attempted cases of malpractice at some examination centres.
Musamba said a total of 74 suspects were apprehended, some of whom were subjected to preventive arrests.
Of these, 11 had been taken to court, although no convictions had been secured by the time of the briefing. "Investigations into the other cases are still ongoing," she said.