The Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) has taken extensive security measures to ensure the integrity of the 2023 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations. These measures were revealed during a media briefing held on Friday, October 14, 2023. The UNEB executive director, Mr. Dan Odongo, cautioned schools, candidates, parents, and the general public against any form of examination malpractice, emphasizing the legal consequences and potential result cancellations.
In an effort to maintain the security and authenticity of the UCE examinations, UNEB has engaged the cooperation of various security agencies, contracted professionals, and examination center heads. A total of 1,036 security officers, 1,113 scouts, and 107,941 invigilators will be deployed to monitor the UCE examinations across the country.
UNEB is also taking action against individuals falsely claiming to possess the UCE examination papers and extorting money from the public. This warning follows the recent arrest of nine suspects involved in the alleged possession and distribution of national examination papers. Six of these suspects have been arraigned in court and remanded to Luzira Prison until October 30, 2023.
Mr. Odongo stressed the importance of abiding by the law, citing the UNEB Act of 2021. This act stipulates penalties for those who gain possession of examination materials or assist candidates in cheating, regardless of whether the examination materials are genuine or not. The penalties include fines and imprisonment.
This year’s UCE examinations will be conducted under the theme, ‘Integrity and security in the management of examinations is a joint responsibility.’ A total of 364,470 candidates have registered for the 2023 UCE examinations, reflecting a 4.3% increase from the previous year. Of these candidates, 50.5% are females, and 49.5% are males. The examinations will take place in 3,863 centers, with 59 candidates from Luzira Upper Prison Center, and 777 candidates with Special Needs Education (SNE) requirements.
UNEB is also urging parents to address school fees balances with school authorities early to prevent inconvenience for candidates during the examination period. The board will collaborate with schools to recover outstanding fees from defaulting candidates even after the examinations.
Furthermore, candidates have been warned against engaging in indiscipline, as UNEB will not intervene or sympathize with candidates subjected to strict disciplinary actions by their schools. To ensure a smooth examination process, the public has been encouraged to report any disruptions or interference during the examination period.
In summary, the UNEB has implemented significant security measures to safeguard the integrity of the 2023 UCE examinations and issued warnings against examination malpractice, emphasizing legal consequences. These efforts aim to ensure a fair and credible examination process for the 364,470 registered candidates.
