Three individuals have been arrested in Lira City for allegedly attempting to bribe a Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) scout to influence the administration of the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), which begin tomorrow.
The suspects identified as George Odongo, Director of Atura Community Day Primary School; Simon Ekut, 32, a former teacher at the same institution; and Lavoiser Awoko, 26, a teacher at St. Gracious Primary School in Barapwo, Lira City West Division.
According to UNEB, the trio attempted to offer shs 1,000,000 to a UNEB scout from Lira who had been deployed to supervise exams in Oyam District.
Police arrested the suspects at Garden Hotel in Lira City and recovered the money, which has been exhibited as evidence.
UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule Musamba condemned the act, describing it as a deliberate attempt to interfere with national examinations.
“The act was intended to compromise the integrity of the national examinations due to commence tomorrow,” Kalule said.
She praised the police for their swift action and recovery of the money, noting that the suspects will be brought to justice.
Kalule said UNEB has increased vigilance and is working closely with security agencies to protect the integrity of the examination process.
“UNEB is working closely with police and other security agencies who will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone attempting to compromise national examinations regardless of their status,” she emphasized.
UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo also urged the public and examination officials to uphold honesty and professionalism throughout the exam period.
During a press conference on Friday, the UNEB Executive Director, Dan Odongo cautioned the public and all exam officials to desist from indulging in acts of aiding and betting malpractice.
The trio is set to face charges under Section 26(1)(g) of the UNEB Act CAP 259, which provides for up to five years in prison, a fine of shs20 million, or both.
