By Sixty-one inmates from Luzira Upper Prison are among the 817,885 candidates sitting for this year’s Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), which officially began today, October 31, with nationwide briefings at schools and sitting centers.
According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), seven of the inmates are female while 54 are male. The examinations are being conducted under the theme “Embracing security and holistic assessment of learners in a dynamic environment.”
UNEB Executive Director, Dan Odongo, expressed gratitude to the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) for calling off its industrial action, enabling teachers to participate in invigilation duties.
Latest
Police Arrest Suspect in Brutal Kansanga Church Murder
Nabbanja: Every Shilling Must Deliver Results for Ugandans
Nandala Pledges Compensation for Northern Uganda War Victims
Odur Challenges Mpuuga’s Legitimacy on Parliamentary Commission
Minister Bahati Ousted as Kabale NRM Chairperson for Running as Independent
Tanzania tells civil servants to work from home after protests mar election
PS Kumumanya Orders Local Gov’ts to Include Anti-Corruption Disclaimer in Job Adverts
Akena Warns Against Politicizing Bobi Wine’s Visit to Obote’s Grave
Ten NUP Supporters Arrested Over Attack on Police Convoy in Lira
Police Probe Death of another Woman at Bryan White’s Home
Police Arrest Over 100 Suspects in Kampala Crime Crackdown
“Our failure to support learners at this critical stage of their educational journey would have impacted them in such a devastating manner that would have weighed heavily on our collective conscience,” Odongo said.
This year’s candidature represents a 2.5 percent increase from 797,444 candidates in 2024. The learners are registered from 16,140 examination centers across the country. Of the total, 389,529 (48%) are boys and 428,356 (52%) are girls. Pupils under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program account for 522,039 (64%), while 295,846 (36%) are privately sponsored.
A total of 3,644 learners with special needs will receive additional support, including braille and large-print question papers, sign language interpreters, and transcribers for those with severe physical impairments. Each will be allowed an extra 45 minutes per paper. UNEB has deployed 1,505 support personnel** to facilitate this exercise.
The board has deployed 59,890 field personnel nationwide, including district monitors, scouts, invigilators, and security officers to oversee the examinations and maintain integrity.
Odongo called on local governments to support the smooth conduct of the exams through timely funding and strong oversight. He commended Chief Administrative Officers and District Education Officers who took firm action against schools implicated in malpractice last year.
The UNEB chief warned that anyone caught engaging in or facilitating exam malpractice will face severe penalties under the UNEB Act, Cap 259. Offenders risk up to 10 years in prison or fines of Shs40 million, while negligent invigilators face five years in jail or fines of Shs20 million.
He revealed that security agencies have arrested several individuals involved in impersonation, including in Kagadi and Hoima districts, where secondary school students had been registered as PLE candidates.
Odongo urged head teachers to personally brief candidates about examination conduct, warning against smuggling materials, collusion, impersonation, and late coming.
He emphasized that candidates should use only blue or black ink pens and arrive at centers at least 30 minutes before the start of each paper.
“We assure you, candidates, that you have what it takes to pass this examination. The questions are drawn from what you have studied over the years,” Odongo said.
