The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has warned the public against social media platforms soliciting money in exchange for purported Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) papers, saying perpetrators will face severe penalties under the law.
Addressing the media ahead of the start of the 2025 PLE, UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo revealed that security agencies have already arrested several people operating online schemes claiming to have access to the examination papers.
“The public is warned that there are persons who have set up social media platforms and have been collecting money purportedly to access and supply PLE question papers. Security agencies have arrested some of these, while others are on the run,” Odongo said.
He warned that anyone engaging in this illegal practice will face severe consequences if caught, including a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment or a fine of shs40 million , in accordance with the law.
“There may be other desperate persons who might try to circulate what they purport to be PLE papers. Any person found doing so will be dealt with in accordance with Section 25 (1) (2) and (4) of the UNEB Act, which provides for a maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment upon conviction, or a fine of forty million shillings, or both..”
He cautioned the public not to fall victim to fraudulent groups, noting that attempts to access exam papers not only violate the law but also jeopardize the integrity of national examinations.
Odongo disclosed that UNEB teams have intensified surveillance and are working closely with security agencies to track down individuals and schools involved in exam malpractice.
He highlighted recent arrests of head teachers involved in registering secondary school students to impersonate candidates including cases in Kagadi and Hoima districts as an example of the Board’s zero-tolerance stance.
A total of 817,885 P7 candidates began their PLE with briefing sessions across the country on Friday. This marks a 2.5% increase from last year.
Candidates will officially start writing their exams on Monday, 3rd November. This years PLE will be conducted under the theme “Embracing security and holistic assessment of learners in a dynamic environment.”
UNEB confirmed the deployment of 59,890 field personnel, including invigilators, scouts, monitors and security officers, to ensure smooth conduct of the examination.
The board also commended the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) for suspending their industrial action to allow teachers participate in the examination process.
Odongo urged parents and head teachers to support candidates, ensure punctuality, and avoid any acts that may lead to disqualification, stressing UNEB’s commitment to enforcing examination rules.
“Anyone trying to give you assistance during the course of the examination will cause the cancellation of your results,” he told candidates.
“Remain calm, confident, and follow the instructions. The questions are drawn from what you have studied.”
Members of the public have been encouraged to report malpractice through UNEB’s toll-free lines, with whistleblowers promised protection.
A total of 817,885 candidates registered for the examination this year, compared to 797,444 in 2024, indicating a percentage increase of 2.5%. They registered from 16,140 examination Centers. 389,529 (48%6) of the candidates are male, while 428,356 (52%) are female.
A total of 522,039 (64%) of the candidates are funded by the government under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) Program, while 295,846 (36%) are privately sponsored. 61 of the registered candidates are inmates from Upper Prison School uzira. Of these, 7 are female while 54 are male.
