PLE : The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has reported a series of arrests across the country following multiple cases of examination malpractice during the first day of the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
While the examinations were largely conducted successfully and peacefully in most parts of the country, UNEB confirmed that several suspects including head teachers, invigilators, and scouts were arrested for allegedly aiding candidates or attempting to compromise the integrity of the national exams.
According to Ms. Jennifer Kalule-Musamba, the Principal Public Relations Officer of UNEB, the Board had implemented heightened security measures this year to prevent malpractice, particularly the leakage of examination papers. However, she noted that some individuals had resorted to new forms of cheating, including attempts to bribe invigilators and smuggle answer sheets into examination rooms.
“Following the tight security measures that the Board has put in place to curb malpractice, especially leakage leading to prior knowledge of the examinations, a number of schools seem to have resorted to compromising scouts and invigilators to assist candidates during the examinations, a practice commonly referred to as external assistance,” Ms. Kalule-Musamba said.
“Several suspects have already been arrested, while others are still on the run as investigations continue,” she added.
Malpractice Incidents and Arrests Reported Countrywide
Kabalagala, Kampala:
Four people, including a scout, a chief invigilator, and two invigilators were arrested after smuggling photocopied answer sheets for the Social Studies (SST) paper into the examination room at Hillside Junior School, Kisugu. Candidates have since confessed to receiving external assistance during the Mathematics paper as well, and four pupils have recorded statements with the police.
Kaliro District:
Police in Kaliro detained seven people from Budini Boys Primary School after candidates admitted to being assisted during the Mathematics paper. Those arrested include the Head Teacher, two scouts, the Chief Invigilator, and three invigilators.
Bundibugyo District:
At Busalu Primary School, teachers allegedly disguised as cooks and cleaners were caught helping candidates. Scouts discovered pads hidden in toilets containing answer slips. The culprits fled the scene but are being pursued by police.
Lira District:
The Director of Caren Junior School was arrested after attempting to bribe a scout and invigilators to allow cheating during the exams. The implicated invigilators were also detained.
Kumi District:
The Chief Invigilator of Kumi Primary School was arrested for allegedly photocopying Mathematics and SST examination papers and sharing them with teachers before the exams.
Kabale District:
Police arrested Drake Kishaijja, the Head Teacher of Rwababa Primary School, for denying a duly registered candidate the chance to sit for the Mathematics paper. The candidate was reportedly blocked for failing to pay extra coaching fees.
Kisoro District:
An invigilator, Benard Katabire, was arrested at Seseme Primary School after being found with photocopied papers containing answers to Mathematics questions inside the examination room.
Despite these incidents, UNEB said the majority of the over 14,000 examination centers across Uganda conducted the Day One papers, Mathematics and Social Studies in a transparent and orderly manner.
Ms. Kalule-Musamba reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to safeguarding the credibility of the examinations and ensuring that all offenders are prosecuted.
“We want to remind the public that UNEB takes exam integrity very seriously. Anyone found aiding or abetting malpractice will face the full force of the law,” she emphasized.
Candidates are scheduled to continue with Integrated Science and English on Day Two of the examinations.
