UNEB Raises Alarm Over Escalating Examination Malpractice as 2025 PLE Results Are Released

The Executive Director of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), Mr. Dan Odongo, has raised serious concern over the escalating and increasingly brazen nature of examination malpractice in the country, as the 2025 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results were officially released.

The results were released on Friday at State House, Nakasero, by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni.

Speaking during the release ceremony, Mr. Odongo revealed that examination malpractice has evolved beyond isolated incidents into a coordinated and dangerous practice involving threats, bribery, and direct interference in examination rooms.

“In some instances, scouts and invigilators have reportedly been bribed or threatened with physical harm by school directors and headteachers to allow teachers to assist candidates directly within examination rooms,” Odongo said.

He described the situation as deeply troubling and warned that such actions undermine the integrity of Uganda’s education system and devalue the efforts of honest learners.

Complicity of District Officials

Odongo expressed regret that some officers within District Education Offices—who are expected to be frontline defenders of examination integrity—have instead become complicit in malpractice and other unprofessional conduct.

However, he singled out districts that demonstrated improvement, noting that firm administrative action can yield results.

“I would like to commend the leadership of Kyenjojo, Kabarole, and Bundibugyo districts, where a notable improvement has been observed. In particular, due to firm action taken by the Chief Administrative Officer of Kyenjojo in 2024, no cases of examination malpractice have been reported from the district this year,” he noted.

Conversely, most of the withheld examination results in 2025 originated from Kisoro, Kampala, Mukono, Namutumba, Kassanda, Buyende, and Kaliro districts, among others.

Results Withheld Pending Investigations

In line with Section 5(2)(b) of the UNEB Act, Cap. 259, Odongo announced that the Board has withheld results of candidates suspected to have been involved in malpractice pending completion of investigations.

He emphasized that UNEB’s tribunal, also known as the Examinations Security Committee, will accord all affected candidates a fair hearing before any final decisions are taken.

Odongo commended the national security agencies for their dedication and vigilance in investigating and managing examination malpractice cases across the country.

Performance of Special Candidate Groups

Addressing the performance of special candidate groups, Odongo highlighted the progress made by prison inmates who sat for the PLE under government-supported prison schools.

At Uganda Government Upper Prison School, Luzira, 61 candidates were registered in 2025, with 58 sitting the examination. Four candidates attained Division One, while 27 obtained Division Two, 13 Division Three, five Division Four, and nine were ungraded.

Meanwhile, at Mbarara Main Prison Inmates Primary School, 40 candidates were registered, with 39 sitting the exams. Seven candidates attained Division One, 15 Division Two, 10 Division Three, five Division Four, and two were ungraded.

Odongo described the performance as encouraging and a testament to the value of education as a rehabilitative tool.

Curriculum Shift Reflected in Examination Papers 

UNEB examiners and curriculum specialists commended the overall quality of the 2025 PLE papers, noting that they reflected the ongoing shift towards competency-based learning.

The questions were designed to assess learners’ ability to apply knowledge and skills rather than merely recall facts.

However, Odongo noted that some teachers—especially in Social Studies and Religious Education—have not fully adjusted their teaching methods to align with the new curriculum.

“Many candidates experienced difficulty responding to questions that required the application of knowledge, particularly in relation to their communities and the country at large,” he explained, attributing this to the observed decline in performance in the affected subjects compared to 2024.

He also cautioned against the growing influence of so-called examination bureaus, whose last-minute materials were described as misleading and harmful to candidate preparedness.

Increased Candidate Numbers

Odongo reported an increase in candidature for the 2025 PLE, with 817,883 candidates registered from 15,388 examination centres, compared to 797,444 candidates in 2024.

Of these, 522,036 candidates (63.8 percent) from 11,525 centres were Universal Primary Education (UPE) beneficiaries, while 295,847 candidates (36.2 percent) from 3,863 centres were non-UPE candidates.

The 2025 PLE was conducted on 3rd and 4th November under the theme, “Embracing Security and Holistic Assessment of Learners in a Dynamic Environment,” the same theme adopted in 2024.

Odongo said the continued relevance of the theme reflects UNEB’s commitment to safeguarding examinations while ensuring comprehensive assessment of learners in a rapidly changing education environment.

As parents and guardians begin accessing results via mobile phones, UNEB reiterated its call for collective responsibility among teachers, administrators, parents, and local leaders to protect the credibility of national examinations and the future of Uganda’s learners.