By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
KAMPALA
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the 2025 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results, with Executive Director Dan Odongo raising alarm over increasingly brazen forms of examination malpractice.
Odongo noted that in some cases, scouts and invigilators were bribed or threatened by school directors and headteachers to allow teachers to assist candidates inside examination rooms. He described the involvement of certain District Education Office staff as “regrettable,” saying they had become complicit in undermining examination integrity.
In line with Section 5(2)(b) of the UNEB Act, Cap. 259, the Board has withheld results of candidates implicated in malpractice until investigations are complete. Where evidence is established, the Examinations Security Committee will provide affected candidates with a fair hearing before final decisions are made.
Most of the withheld cases originated from Kisoro, Kampala, Mukono, Namutumba, Kassanda, Buyende, and Kaliro districts. However, Odongo commended Kyenjojo, Kabarole, and Bundibugyo districts for notable improvements, highlighting Kyenjojo’s zero malpractice cases following firm action by its Chief Administrative Officer in 2024.
Analysis of the results showed that male candidates performed better than females, recording a lower failure rate overall.
UNEB also released results for prison candidates. At Uganda Government Upper Prison School, Luzira, 61 candidates registered, with 58 sitting the exams. Results showed 4 candidates in Division 1, 27 in Division 2, 13 in Division 3, 5 in Division 4, while 9 were ungraded.
At Mbarara Main Prison Inmates Primary School, 40 candidates registered, with 39 sitting. Of these, 7 obtained Division 1, 15 Division 2, 10 Division 3, 5 Division 4, and 2 were ungraded.
Odongo expressed appreciation to the Security Team for its tireless work in investigating and managing malpractice cases, emphasizing UNEB’s commitment to protecting the credibility of national examinations.
