A total of 798,771 candidates will today start their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) at different centres across the country.
The exam will mark the candidate’s completion of the seven-year course of study and end the primary-level journey.
Candidates started with their briefing on Monday and will proceed to do their first papers, mathematics, social studies and religious education, today. They will finalise with Integrated Science and English on Thursday, according to the timetable.
STATISTICS
According to Jenipher Kalule, the principal public relations officer of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), of the 798,771 candidates, 379,414, representing 47.4%, are males and the rest (419,357) are females. Of all the candidates, 524,690, representing 66.7%, are Universal Primary Education (UPE) candidates.
Special needs candidates are 3,295, with 1,677 of them being females.
UNEB says it will give an extra 45 minutes in accordance with regulations for them to be able to complete their papers.
“They will also receive necessary support based on their special needs, including braille answer sheets that have been available for the blind and large print papers for those with low vision. While the deaf are assigned sign language interpreters. Those with dyslexia and writing problems will be availed with transcribers,” Kalule added.
WARNS AGAINST MALPRACTICE
However, Kalule said she has since cautioned learners and teachers against engaging in any form of exam malpractice.
She cautioned the public against engaging with fraudsters attempting to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
Kalule said this includes online sharing and being in possession of an electronic version of any such material.
She warned against any involvement in cheating, stating that UNEB is closely monitoring all centres.
“We strongly warn against aiding or abetting any form of examination malpractice. Those caught will face severe penalties under the UNEB Act 2021,” Kalule said.
13,000 SCOUTS DEPLOYED
As a result, UNEB announced the deployment of 13,000 scouts to help guide the progress of the two days’ exercise.
An additional 600 security personnel, including undercover officers, will be assigned to ensure the safe conduct of examinations across the country.
Kalule explained that exam fraud includes sharing or possessing electronic versions of examination materials, which constitutes an offense under sections 24 and 25 of the UNEB Act, CAP 259.
She urged anyone with information regarding suspected malpractice to call UNEB’s toll-free lines at 0800211077 or 0800111427.
PRESIDENTIAL VISITS DIFFERED
In Pallisa district, the presidential visit, which had been scheduled during the examination period in the Bukedi region, was instead deferred.
This excited candidates who wish to attend and witness the President visit their area.
Accordingly, candidates expressed joy when they heard that the longawaited President’s Bukedi region tour had been postponed in respect of their examinations.
Robbin Ogwang, a candidate of Opadoi Primary School, said one of the most successful programmes initiated by President Yoweri Museveni is Universal Primary Education, in which its beneficiaries should also go and attend the President’s rally at Busitema University.
Scovia Akello from Agule Primary School said it was going to be a disservice to them to miss going to Busitema University Pallisa campus grounds to meet the President.
“I know it is 10km from home to Pallisa, but I will go on foot until I see and listen to the President who minds about us,” Akello added.
Richard Oseku Oriebo, the Kibale County MP, said the postponement of the programme from November 6 to 8 is a good gesture.
Oseku, who is also the chairperson of Pallisa MPs, said President Museveni, being the head of the executive arm, is committed to finding out how the resources the Government injected into communities through youth livelihood, women’s entrepreneurship, Emyooga and the Parish Development Model are transforming lives.
Magid Dhikusooka, the Pallisa resident district commissioner, said the President, because of his tight schedule, will visit some of the selected farmers in Limoto wetlands, before he concludes with a rally at Busitema University Pallisa campus grounds.
FOUR ARRESTED
Jenipher Kalule, the principal public relations officer of the Uganda National Examinations Board, pointed to the recent cases where Police arrested four teachers in connection with being in possession of an unauthorised 2024 PLE papers.
The suspects were arrested on Friday and from various locations where they were allegedly supplying exam papers using social media platforms WhatsApp and Telegram.
The suspects were detained at Bulenga Police Station on Mityana Road in Wakiso district. They reportedly confessed to the crime and wrote statements.
The suspects were identified as Vincent Muheki, a 25-yearold teacher at Ibanda Vision Primary School; Albert Babeeko, a 32-year-old teacher at The Stoneridge School in Kira municipality; Hosea Toyek, a 23-year-old teacher at Kigina Dignity Primary School in Rukungiri town and Kevin Bakashaba, a 25-year-old teacher at Kimongole Junior School in Kikagati, Isingiro district.
Additional reporting by New Vision
