Police warn schools against misusing UNEB registration fees

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Police have warned head teachers and school administrators against the misappropriation of registration fees collected from candidates for national examinations, saying offenders will face arrest and prosecution.

The warning was issued by Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma during a press conference held at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, on Monday (June 8).

Kituuma said the registration period for candidates sitting the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) had historically been marred by cases of school administrators collecting money from parents and candidates but failing to remit it to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).

“Our message to head teachers and school administrators is very clear. If you receive registration money from candidates, remit it to UNEB. Do not misappropriate it,” Kituuma said.

He said police were increasingly concerned about cases where learners discover they have not been registered despite having paid the required fees through their schools.

“We are tired of situations where students hand over money for registration and it is diverted. Do not eat candidates’ money. We shall arrest and prosecute those involved,” he warned.

Kituuma noted that many affected candidates are young children whose academic futures can be severely disrupted by such misconduct.

“An average PLE candidate is about 12 or 13 years old. It is unacceptable for anyone to destroy a child’s future by failing to register them after receiving their money,” he said.

The police spokesperson said law enforcement agencies would closely monitor the registration exercise and investigate all complaints from parents and candidates.

He urged parents to remain vigilant and demand proof that registration payments made to schools are properly processed.

Kituuma warned that school administrators found guilty of misappropriating examination registration fees would face criminal charges.

“This is a strong warning. We are coming for those who misuse candidates’ registration funds. We shall not entertain excuses,” he said.