KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ministry of Education has officially prohibited the public display of Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) results for individual candidates across all media platforms. The directive, outlined in a May 7 circular issued by Permanent Secretary Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda to heads of learning institutions, cites violations of the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019.
Dr. Turyagyenda noted that despite a prior warning, schools have continued to publicize individual candidates’ scores, result slips, and photographs on various public media channels and billboards following the release of the 2024 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results.
The circular referenced a caution issued by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports during the release of the 2024 results, urging headteachers and school proprietors to refrain from publicizing candidates’ outcomes. The ministry emphasized that this directive aligns with its commitment to protecting the privacy, dignity, and well-being of all students, ensuring academic achievements are handled discreetly in accordance with the law.
Dr. Turyagyenda stressed the responsibility of school heads in upholding and safeguarding the rights and welfare of students. “Publicizing examination results not only breaches legal provisions but also exposes learners and their families to undue stress, anxiety, and possible harassment or stigma. Such actions are deemed unlawful under Part VIII, Section 36 (1-2) of the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019, which prescribes penalties for noncompliance,” she stated.
Moving forward, the Ministry of Education has instructed all schools to cease using candidates’ examination results for advertising or marketing purposes. Instead, the ministry encourages schools to highlight the broader educational experience they offer, including extracurricular activities, community engagement, and institutional development initiatives.
The Permanent Secretary directed that examination results must be communicated privately to students and their parents or guardians through official channels, such as sealed letters from the school or secure digital platforms. Schools are explicitly prohibited from displaying results on notice boards, social media, or any other public forums.
Dr. Turyagyenda clarified that while individual results cannot be publicized, schools may share a general performance summary without disclosing the names or photographs of specific candidates when necessary. This new directive underscores the Ministry of Education’s commitment to student data protection and responsible communication of academic outcomes.
