UNEB EXAMS PROCEED SMOOTHLY, DESPITE ISOLATED EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE INCIDENTS

In a determined effort to maintain the integrity of the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, law enforcement agencies across the country have apprehended several individuals involved in cases of examination malpractice. 

The arrests serve as a stern warning to those attempting to compromise the fairness of the assessment process. In West Nile, Yumbe district, six teachers from Nampita Secondary School and an invigilator overseeing the examinations at the same institution have been taken into custody. They face charges of possessing unauthorized materials and creating disturbances in the examination hall. The suspects allegedly entered the examination hall on October 19th with power banks, smartphones, and a laptop, purportedly for charging purposes. Their suspicious behavior alerted a vigilant scout, who promptly reported the incident to the police. A subsequent investigation revealed that one of the teacher's smartphones contained answers for the biology practical examination. 

Mr. Dan Nokrach Odongo Executive Director UNEB

In Nagalama, the headteacher of Paul Mukasa Secondary School in Kalagi was apprehended for electronically distributing what was purported to be a UNEB examination paper. The headteacher is alleged to have used his phone to share the material and extort money from unsuspecting members of the public. He is set to face charges of aiding and abetting malpractice. Meanwhile, in Mitooma, a Swahili teacher at Kanyabwanga Secondary School, Tumusiime Dominic, was arrested for disseminating information, possibly an image, claimed to be an examination material for a UNEB Biology Practical paper for 2023. 

The information was allegedly shared on a school teachers' forum. The school's headteacher, Mr. Mugizi, promptly reported the case to the police. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court following the sanctioning of the case by the magistrate's court in Bushenyi. 

In Kwania District, the headteacher of Inomo SS was taken into custody for suspected tampering with an envelope containing mathematics Paper 1 examination papers. The headteacher received the sealed envelope from the station, in the presence of other examination officials, including the UNEB Chief Scout, Area Supervisor, and security officers. An investigation is underway to determine if the contents of the envelope were indeed tampered with. 

In Kabalagala, Makindye Division of Kampala, the Chief Invigilator at African Parl Secondary School was arrested on suspicion of providing external assistance to Chemistry students during the practical examination of Chemistry Paper 3 on October 17th, 2023. A handwritten piece of paper with suspected answers was discovered in the examination room where the Chief Invigilator was overseeing the process. 

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. While these arrests underscore the commitment to maintaining the integrity of the UCE examinations, the majority of the assessments have proceeded smoothly across the nation. Section 28 of the UNEB Act 2021 stipulates severe penalties for those found guilty of damaging or tampering with examination materials. Offenders may face fines up to Twenty Million Shillings or imprisonment for up to five years, or both. The authorities remain steadfast in their efforts to ensure that the examination process remains fair, transparent, and free from any form of malpractice.

By Our Reporter