KAMPALA, Uganda (UGNEWSLINE) – The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has urged heads of examination centres to personally brief candidates ahead of the start of the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations.
The briefing, scheduled for today, October 8, 2026, is intended to take candidates through examination guidelines, instructions, the timetable and conduct expected before and during the examinations.
Jennifer Kalule Musamba, Principal Public Relations Officer at UNEB, said heads of centres should not delegate the responsibility because inadequate briefing can lead to mistakes that may affect candidates’ results.
“Some candidates make mistakes during examinations which can even lead to the cancellation of their results simply because they were not briefed effectively,” Kalule said.
She urged heads of centres to take candidates through every instruction on the examination timetable instead of assuming that candidates will understand the instructions on their own.
“Every instruction which is on that timetable is very important. Please take them through step by step,” she said.
Kalule also asked school administrators to explain to candidates what they can and cannot do inside and outside the examination room, including actions that could amount to examination malpractice and lead to cancellation of results.
She encouraged candidates not to panic or fear the examinations, saying they have spent time studying, revising and preparing for the tests.
“They should not panic. They should not fear because they have been preparing for this. And now the time has come for them to prove their competencies,” she said.
Kalule reminded candidates that examinations are not an end in themselves but a pathway to their future careers, urging them to approach the assessment with confidence.
This year’s UCE examinations are being conducted under the theme, “Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through Secure, Credible, Inclusive and Innovative Processes.”
According to Kalule, the theme emphasises the safety and security of learners, the security of examinations and the credibility of the assessment and certification processes.
She called on everyone involved in the examinations to ensure that their actions protect the credibility of the examination process and the certificates issued by UNEB.
Parents who are able to attend the briefing sessions have also been encouraged to go to schools and support their children.
Kalule also called for prayers for the candidates and all those involved in the conduct of the examinations, wishing the candidates success as they begin the next stage of their academic journey.
