UNEB backtracks, invalidates Isingiro North MP candidate's verified academic results
"The grounds of the complaint are that, following the withdrawal of the recommendation letter by the Education Officer, Mbarara City, and the public notification by the headteacher of Greenhill College, Kaberebere, that Atwine James has never been a candidate of the school. The Letter of Verification of Results was issued in error."
Atwine (Pictured) has since dismissed UNEB’s decision as politically motivated, accusing his rivals of orchestrating a smear campaign to edge him out of the race. (Credit: Rhyman Agaba)
ISINGIRO - In an unprecedented turn of events, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has invalidated the academic documents of Parliamentary candidate James Atwine, New Vision Online has learnt.
The development comes at a time when MP hopefuls have kicked off their campaign in the hope of emerging victorious in the 2026 General Election.
The November 4, 2025, letter to the Electoral Commission (EC), UNEB executive secretary Dan Odongo says the verified results for Atwine it issued are invalid. Atwine is contesting for the Isingiro North seat currently occupied by Bright Kanyontore Rwamirama, who is also seeking re-election.
Odongo says the Board's decision followed a formal complaint questioning the legitimacy of Atwine’s results and a subsequent internal investigation by the examination body.
"The grounds of the complaint are that, following the withdrawal of the recommendation letter by the Education Officer, Mbarara City, and the public notification by the headteacher of Greenhill College, Kaberebere, that Atwine James has never been a candidate of the school. The Letter of Verification of Results was issued in error."
He adds that the Board is aware of the letter from the Education Officer, Mbarara City, and the headteacher of Greenhill College Kaberebere, which came to the Board's attention after the Board had already issued a letter of verification of results to the said Atwine.
UNEB has, therefore invalidated Atwine's results based on the information "from the headteacher of the school and the withdrawal of the recommendation by the Education Officer, Mbarara City, on which the Board had relied, the Letters of Verification of Results issued by the Board on 14th June 2025 'U2003/506, 2006) and 154 October 2025 (U1436/038, 2003) in the names of Atwine James".
The petition
The petition, dated November 5, 2025, was referenced LEG75/79/01 and titled: “Petition on alleged non-compliance with nomination requirement for the elective office of Member of Parliament for Isingiro County North Constituency, Isingiro District.”
In response, the EC summoned both Atwine and the complainant, Benson Kajungu, to a hearing held on November 6.
Politically motivated decision?
However, Atwine has since dismissed UNEB’s decision as politically motivated, accusing his rivals of orchestrating a smear campaign to edge him out of the race.
“This is a witch-hunt. My political opponents have influenced government officials to frustrate my candidature,” Atwine told New Vision Online in an interview over the weekend.
He also accused the petitioner of being the driver of one of his opponents. However, New Vision Online could not independently verify the candidate the petitioner is affiliated to.
Atwine later delivered a protest letter to UNEB headquarters, copies of which he also shared with the education ministry and the Office of First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni, appealing for her intervention.
He also vowed to seek legal redress if UNEB’s decision is not reversed.
His lawyer, Joan Owamagara, described UNEB’s action as procedurally flawed and politically influenced.
With just weeks to the 2026 general elections, the development has thrown the Isingiro North race into uncertainty, heightening political tensions in the district.