The 2026 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) started smoothly across much of the country on Tuesday morning, with candidates sitting Mathematics as the first paper amid tight security and heightened vigilance against examination malpractice.
In the Kampala metropolitan area, the distribution of examination materials proceeded without major hitches. At the Nabweru distribution centre, which serves Nansana Municipality in Wakiso District, the container holding the examination papers was opened at 7:00 am. Distributors, each accompanied by a police officer, collected the packages and had set off for examination centres by 8:00 am.
By the time of filing this report, several schools in the area had received their papers and were waiting for the official start time of 9:00 am. A few papers that had been wrongly packed or delivered to the wrong distribution point were identified and corrected in time.
The materials, which had been delivered to the Nansana distribution centre but were intended for schools in Bira and Busukuma, were redirected by municipal education officials under police escort.
UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule Musamba said the exercise had started on schedule, with favourable weather conditions supporting the distribution, particularly in Kampala and Wakiso. “Distribution started in good time, and the weather has been favourable, especially around Kampala and Wakiso,” she said.
However, Musamba urged invigilators, scouts and other examination officials to remain vigilant against malpractice, emphasizing that protecting the integrity of the examinations remains a priority.
The caution comes amid heightened security around this year’s PLE. In the weeks leading up to the examinations, several people were arrested for allegedly selling or possessing materials they claimed were examination papers.
In early October, six people, mostly teachers, were charged at City Hall Court in Kampala with unauthorised possession of purported PLE papers covering Mathematics, Social Studies, Integrated Science and English.
They were remanded. Under Section 25 of the UNEB Act, Cap 259, anyone found unlawfully possessing or controlling examination papers, materials or information, or circulating such materials, faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Shs 40 million, or both.
Examination officials who negligently allow malpractice can also face prosecution, with penalties of up to five years in prison or a fine of Shs 20 million.
PLE is a major national assessment that determines learners’ transition from primary to secondary education. Its results influence Senior One placement, access to government-aided secondary schools and opportunities for further education, making the examination highly competitive and increasing the pressure on candidates, parents and schools.
Outside the capital, the exercise was also reported to have started smoothly. In Kabale District, the container holding examination papers was opened at about 7:20 am, with distribution starting at 7:30 am under tight security provided by military and regular police officers. Most of the papers were transported on motorcycles, each accompanied by an armed police officer.
UNEB scouts declined to speak to journalists, saying they had been instructed by the examination body’s headquarters not to engage the media or allow photography of the distribution exercise.
However, Kabale District Principal Inspector of Schools Wilberforce Nabasa was seen rushing examination papers for Mutojo Primary School to Katuna Examination Centre in Ndorwa West County after the materials, which had initially been misplaced, were found at the Kabale Police Station Examination Centre in the municipality.
In Fort Portal City, distribution started at 8:00 am from Fort Portal Police Barracks. City Inspector of Schools Charles Nyakahuma said the city has 39 registered examination centres, where 3,511 candidates are expected to sit the examinations. Nyakahuma described the distribution exercise as successful and expressed hope that the entire examination period would proceed smoothly.
In Arua and other parts of West Nile, bright and sunny weather prevailed as officials and headteachers collected examination papers from as early as 7:00 am.
At Driwala Primary School in Ayivu Division, Arua City, which is hosting candidates from three schools, including Skyland and Trust Education, invigilators reported that more than 150 candidates were ready to sit the examinations. Similar scenes of early arrivals were reported at Awindiri and Arua Hill primary schools.
Reports from neighbouring Maracha and Madi Okollo districts also indicated that schools were prepared for the examinations. In Soroti City, Resident City Commissioner John Michael Okurut urged bar owners operating near examination centres to switch off loud music to avoid disrupting candidates. He specifically cited Pioneer Primary School as one of the affected centres and warned that those who defy the directive would face the law.
Meanwhile, in Terego District, family and clan members in Leju Town Council are mourning a Primary Seven candidate of Mother Mary Primary School in Arua City who died on Friday after a metal door he was playing near collapsed on him.
He was buried on Monday. In Kagadi District, school authorities and proprietors, particularly those operating private schools, were warned against stopping candidates with outstanding school fees from sitting the examinations.
Kagadi District Education Officer Beatrace Mbabazi said all registered candidates must be allowed to write their papers regardless of their school fees balances. She also warned UNEB examination managers and school proprietors against engaging in malpractice, saying those found culpable would face stern action.
Mbabazi said the district had deployed police officers, chief invigilators, invigilators and UNEB scouts to supervise the exercise.
She appealed to parents to provide candidates with the necessary examination requirements, adequate food and a conducive environment to help them concentrate and perform well. In Kyotera District, examination materials were delivered to all distribution centres on time, according to District Education Officer Lawrence Ssekyondwa.
“All our candidates are well prepared to write their exams, and we have not registered any incidents that may compromise the exercise as planned,” Ssekyondwa said. He cautioned school administrators and parents against conspiring to engage in examination malpractice, saying the district had deployed security personnel to arrest those involved.
Candidates will sit Social Studies and Religious Education in the afternoon. The two-day examination will conclude on Wednesday with Integrated Science in the morning and English in the afternoon.
By URN
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