The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) is working hard to safeguard the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams and prepare for the upcoming Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) scheduled to begin on November 7, 2023. District monitors are being briefed to oversee these critical examinations.
As the UCE examinations enter their third week, candidates across the country are diligently taking their mandatory subjects. The ongoing English Papers 1 and 2 mark the culmination of these crucial exams. UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule Musamba has praised the public for adhering to the whistleblower’s policy, which has been instrumental in exposing cases of malpractice. It was through information from whistleblowers that individuals involved in unauthorized distribution of UNEB exam materials were arrested and brought to court.
In recent legal proceedings, suspects who were caught with unauthorized possession and electronic distribution of alleged PLE exam papers are now facing legal charges. One notable case is that of a suspect known as “Fresh Karim,” who was found distributing fake UNEB exams via TikTok. He was altering “passed papers” to make them appear as if they were from the year 2023, and then sharing them with his followers.
Looking ahead, UNEB is ramping up security measures in anticipation of potential malpractice during the final weeks of the UCE exams. The board is emphasizing strict vigilance by deploying both visible and undercover personnel to oversee exam supervision. Invigilators are being cautioned against any involvement in malpractice. UNEB has issued a stern warning against facilitating malpractice, outlining the offenses under the UNEB Act of 2021 that could lead to result cancellations, heavy fines ranging from sh20-40 million, or imprisonment for a period of 5-10 years for those found guilty of aiding and abetting malpractice.
To address the issue of online vendors distributing purported UNEB papers, UNEB is monitoring online platforms. The public is strongly urged to avoid sharing or forwarding any content claiming to be UNEB exams and to report such activities to the authorities or the toll-free line 0800-111-427 to maintain the integrity of Uganda’s education system.
