By Mutuunzi Saul
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has commenced the 2026 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations with a total of 503,055 candidates registered across 4,514 examination centres nationwide, as the Board warns against examination malpractice.
UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule Musamba briefed the media at Uganda Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, on the start of the examinations for the fourth cohort of learners under the competency-based curriculum.
The examinations are being conducted under the theme, “Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through Secure, Credible, Inclusive and Innovative Processes.”
Kalule said candidates began their examinations with Mathematics Paper One in the morning, followed by Chemistry Papers One and Two in the afternoon.
She noted that heavy rains had caused flooding on some roads in different parts of the country but said preliminary reports indicated that the examinations had started smoothly nationwide.
Kalule encouraged candidates to remain confident, noting that their preparations and hard work had equipped them with the knowledge and skills needed to perform well.
She reaffirmed UNEB’s commitment to conducting valid, reliable, equitable and quality assessments through professional and innovative processes that lead to the award of internationally recognised certificates.
According to UNEB, the number of registered candidates has increased from 432,165 last year to 503,055 this year, reflecting a rise of 70,890 candidates.
Of the registered candidates, 264,722 are female, while 238,333 are male. The Board also reported that 187,918 candidates are government-sponsored, compared to 315,132 privately sponsored candidates.
To ensure the examinations are conducted securely, UNEB is working with security agencies and contracted professionals. More than 2,000 scouts have been deployed across the country, alongside nearly 600 security personnel.
Kalule warned individuals planning to disrupt the examinations or engage in examination malpractice that they would face the full force of the law.
She also cautioned members of the public against joining social media platforms that trade in fake examination papers falsely presented as genuine UNEB materials.
Kalule explained that Section 26 of the law provides for penalties against teachers, invigilators, scouts and other individuals who assist candidates to cheat or fail to prevent unauthorised assistance during examinations.
Upon conviction, offenders face a fine of up to Shs20 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
She further urged schools to cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure that all eligible candidates are allowed to sit their examinations, warning that learners prevented from taking the examinations would be required to resit them.
UNEB has reiterated the importance of maintaining examination integrity and ensuring that all candidates are assessed fairly as the 2026 UCE examination period gets underway.