UNEB reports smooth conduct of P7, S4 exams amid challenges

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The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) says it completed the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) and the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams successfully despite weather-related challenges in some parts of the country.

Addressing journalists during a joint briefing with the Police at Naguru, Kampala, on Monday, November 10, 2025, UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule-Musamba said both the PLE and UCE examinations were conducted smoothly across the country without major incidents.

PLE was conducted from November 3 to 4, while the UCE ran from October 10 to November 8, 2025.

Pregnancies

Kalule-Musamba reported that 16 pregnancies were registered during the UCE period, involving 13 pregnant girls, three of whom delivered during the exams, and all were supported to complete their papers.

However, UNEB noted that some districts faced hardships caused by flooding, particularly in Lira and Katakwi.

Flooding

“In Lira district, one of the routes through Itek Swamp was flooded, forcing the district inspector of schools (DIS) to transfer candidates of Agweng Modern Primary School to Aleberere Primary School,” she said.

Community access road blocked by floods. (File/New Vision/Christopher Nyeko)

The other six schools along that route had to improvise, but the DIS ensured that examination materials were delivered and scripts collected.

Jennifer Kalule Musamba, Principal public relations officer, UNEB. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

In Katakwi, eight schools were affected by heavy rains and flooded classrooms.

“One school, Nyangariam Primary, had no church nearby, so community members drained the water themselves and laid hardcore stones on the flooded pathways and classroom floors to enable candidates to write their exams,” Kalule-Musamba added, lauding the community, local leaders, and field officials for their cooperation.

Coaching debt

She also cited an incident in Kabale district, where Drake Kisheija, the headteacher of Rwababa Primary School, was arrested for denying a registered PLE candidate access to sit for mathematics over failure to pay an additional shillings 70,000 for coaching.

“He was charged before the Kabale Chief Magistrates Court with wrongfully denying access to education for a pupil under Universal Primary Education,” she said.

He was granted bail, and the case will come up for mention on December 16, 2025.

Kalule-Musamba further revealed that 55 suspects were arrested by the Police over examination malpractice related to the PLE.

The cases included cutting envelope seals, attempted bribery of UNEB scouts, and teachers providing external assistance to candidates. Some of the suspects have already been arraigned in court.

“We thank the Police and the judicial officials for their vigilance and for taking swift action against offenders,” she noted.

UACE Examinations

Turning to the ongoing UACE examinations, Kalule-Musamba said writing of papers started today, November 10, 2025, under the theme: Embracing security and holistic assessment of learners in a dynamic environment.

She said candidates started with Theory of Government and Constitutional Development, History of Africa, and Physics Paper 1 in the morning session, followed by Literature in English (Prose and Poetry), Kiswahili, and Physics Paper 2 in the afternoon.

The UACE examinations will continue until December 5, 2025, with 166,402 candidates registered this year — up from 141,996 in 2024, representing a 14.6% increase. The exams are being conducted at 2,844 centres nationwide.

“Among these are 28 candidates sitting their papers from the Uganda Government Upper Prison School in Luzira, 27 males and one female,” Kalule-Musamba said.

She added that 521 candidates have special needs requirements, for whom the Board has provided necessary support, including an additional 45 minutes per paper.

Kalule-Musamba said all examination materials were successfully delivered and distributed to storage stations across the country “in good time and without major challenges,” with about 1,650 scouts and security personnel deployed to oversee the field conduct.

Malpractice

The UNEB spokesperson reiterated the Board’s warning to candidates, school heads, and the public against involvement in any form of examination malpractice.

“Anyone apprehended will be dealt with in accordance with the UNEB Act, CAP 259,” she said. “The penalties range from five to ten years in prison, or a fine of between shillings 20 million and shillings 40 million, or both upon conviction.”

She further cautioned UNEB scouts and field officers that if malpractice occurs under their watch, they could face imprisonment of up to five years under Section 26(1)(g) of the same Act.

Kalule-Musamba also urged journalists to avoid covering examination rooms or the process of distribution once exams are in progress, but said they are free to film candidates as they are checked outside the rooms.

Members of the public were encouraged to report any information related to suspected malpractice through UNEB’s toll-free lines 0800-111-427 and 0800-211-077, with assurances of protection under the Board’s whistleblower policy.

“Let us all play our part in preserving the integrity of our national examinations,” Kalule-Musamba appealed.