The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has urged local governments to support the smooth and malpractice-free management of the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo, says “the field management of the PLE is a joint effort between UNEB and the local governments. Together, we must share the concern for smooth, malpractice-free examinations.”
He called upon Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) and other relevant authorities at the districts to promptly process and release necessary funds, oversee the distribution of examination papers by responsible district officials, ensure timely payment of invigilators, and crack down on any cases of malpractice.
The 2025 PLE exams started today with the briefing of candidates at different examination centres across the country.
A total of 817,885 candidates have registered from 16,140 examination centres across the country for this year’s Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), compared to 797,444 candidates in 2024, representing a 2.5% increase.
Of the total candidates, 389,529 (48%) are boys, while 428,356 (52%) are girls,”
A total of 522,039(64%) of the candidates are funded by the government under the universal primary education (UPE), while 295,846(36%) are privately sponsored.
61 of the registered candidates are inmates from upper prison school Luzira. They include 7 females while 54 are male, according to data from UNEB.
“UNEB also registered 3,644 special needs candidates who require special interventions and support during the examinations.1,879(51.5%) of these are male while 1,765(48.5%) are female,” Odongo stated, confirming that necessary arrangements have been put in place to support all the special needs candidates.
“UNEB will avail braille question papers and answer sheets for the 33 blind students, large print question papers for 620 candidates with low vision and sign language interpreters for 300 deaf candidates,” Odongo said.
“A total of 1,318 learners with dyslexia and those with severe physical impairments(reading and writing) challenges will be supported by transcribers, all the special needs candidates will be allowed 45 extra minutes for each paper.”
UNEB has also cautioned against involvement in examination malpractice, warning that culprits will face penalties in line with the laws.
“The board strongly warns all persons contemplating involvement in any form of examination malpractice that they will be dealt with in accordance with the UNEB act cap 259,” Odongo warned.
The public has been warned against masqueraders on social media extorting and supplying them with fake PLE question papers. These have been asked to report any suspicious activities to relevant authorities.
