By The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has withheld the results of candidates from 38 examination centers across the country who sat for the 2024 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations due to suspected malpractice.
While releasing the results at the Nakasero State Lodge on March 14, 2025, UNEB Executive Director Daniel Odongo did not disclose the exact number of affected students but emphasized that cases of examination malpractice at this level remained minimal.
“The number of malpractice cases recorded at the UACE level is significantly lower compared to those registered during the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) and Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams,” UNEB Chairperson Prof. Celestino Obua stated.
According to Section 5(2)(b) of the UNEB Act, Cap 259, the withheld results will remain under review pending the completion of investigations. Candidates from the affected centers will be given an opportunity to be heard before a final decision is made.
Prof. Obua further noted that the Board has already completed hearings for cases of withheld PLE results. For students whose cases lacked sufficient evidence, UNEB has released their results, while proven malpractice cases were canceled under Section 38(1) of the UNEB Act, Cap 259.
In an effort to ensure transparency and accountability, UNEB plans to publish a list of affected schools and individuals involved in malpractice to prevent unscrupulous school administrators from issuing fake results to unsuspecting students and parents.
“The Board has urged Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) in the affected districts to take appropriate disciplinary action against headteachers, invigilators, and other implicated individuals to deter future malpractice,” said Prof. Obua.
UNEB has encouraged parents and schools to support the affected candidates in retaking the examination in 2025, rather than allowing them to drop out of the education system due to the withheld results.
“We understand that this is a difficult situation for the affected students and their families. However, we strongly urge them to re-sit the examination next year rather than abandoning their education,” Prof. Obua added.
With the 2024 UACE examination cycle now concluded, UNEB remains committed to upholding the integrity of the national assessment system and ensuring that all candidates receive fair and credible academic results.
