By Weswa Ronnie
NATIONAL
The Uganda National Examinations Board is withholding the 2025 Primary Leaving Examination results for candidates in several key districts, including Kampala, Mukono and Kisoro, following reports of brazen cheating and the physical intimidation of exam monitors.
UNEB Executive Director Dan N. Odongo announced Friday that the nature of examination malpractice has shifted from covert cooperation to open confrontation.
He reported that school directors and headteachers in these areas are now bribing or threatening invigilators with physical harm to allow teachers to enter examination rooms and directly assist students.
In addition to the primary urban centers of Kampala and Mukono, the board identified Namutumba, Kassanda, Buyende and Kaliro as districts where results have been frozen pending a full investigation.
Odongo expressed concern that the corruption has reached local leadership levels. He noted that some partners within district education offices have become complicit in these unprofessional acts, undermining the integrity of the national assessment.
In accordance with the UNEB Act, the board will hold the results while the Examinations Security Committee sits as a tribunal. Affected candidates will be granted a fair hearing before a final decision is made on whether to release or cancel the scores.
While malpractice remains a challenge in these specific regions, UNEB highlighted Kyenjojo, Kabarole and Bundibugyo as success stories. Following strict administrative actions against officials in 2024, Kyenjojo reported no cases of cheating during the 2025 cycle.
Despite the security concerns, the board successfully delivered exams to 15,388 centers nationwide. Odongo credited the Uganda Police Force and other security agencies for providing the necessary cover to ensure the exams were conducted safely, even in regions where heavy rains and damaged infrastructure hampered transportation.
