In an inspiring show of resilience and hope, 65 inmates under the Uganda Prisons Service have embarked on their Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations today, November 11, 2024.
According to a statement issued by Frank Baine Mayanja, the spokesperson for the Uganda Prisons Service, this year’s candidates include three female inmates and 62 male inmates, highlighting the ongoing efforts of the correctional system to provide educational opportunities behind bars.
The main examination center is located at Luzira Upper Prison, where 49 candidates are sitting for the exams. The remaining 16 inmates are taking their exams from Mbarara Prison, showing a significant increase in the number of candidates who are keen to pursue education despite their circumstances.
Uganda Prisons Service has continually expanded educational opportunities, recognizing that many inmates had their education interrupted before incarceration.
The initiative not only aims to provide inmates with a second chance but also to reduce recidivism by equipping them with skills that can lead to employment or further education upon release.
Meanwhile, a total of 142, 009 candidates today started on writing their final Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education(UACE) exams countrywide.
Jenifer Kalule, the UNEB spokesperson, said that these exams are the last set in the series of this year’s four examinations dubbed 4Es
She said that Arts candidates commenced with writing History paper 3 and 4, while the science candidates started writing principal mathematics, paper 1.
“The exams are being written from 2,634 centres” Ms Kalule said.
According to UNEB, the 142, 009 candidates who registered for the examination, are more than the 10,569 candidates who registered last year, representing a 22.1% increase.
