Editorial
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has identified several districts as potential hotspots for examination malpractice as the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) officially begin.
According to UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule, intelligence reports point to Kampala, Kalungu, Gomba, Buyende and Kayunga as areas of concern.
She said the board is working closely with security agencies to monitor and prevent any form of malpractice during the examinations.
Meanwhile a 17-year-old PLE at Acherer Primary School in Moroto district has given birth to a baby boy while sitting for her exams.
The teenager reported to the health facility at around 6:00 am as she waited for her math examination paper and indicating her determination to sit for her exams despite her condition.
At 9:00 am, the candidate started writing her examination which was administered at the facility until around 9: 35 am when the labor pains intensified, and she gave birth to a healthy baby boy at 10:00 am.
Susan Lowal, the enrolled midwife at Acherer Health Center II, said the mother delivered normally, and both with her baby are in good health.
In related development the 2025 PLE faced delays in several districts, including Katakwi, Bukedea, and Kapchorwa, due to floods and poor road conditions.
Daniel Alileng, the Senior District Inspector of Schools in Katakwi, described the difficulties the district faced in accessing schools, particularly in Magoro Sub-County, where examination materials had been stored in Toroma County.
In Bukedea District, District Education Officer Stephen Okurut reported that candidates from Akaakat Primary School were relocated to Kamutur Primary School after heavy rains rendered the road to their original center impassable.
In Kapchorwa District, the PLE exams were delayed on Monday morning after examination papers arrived late at several schools.
By 9:00 a.m., papers had not reached institutions, including Kapchorwa Primary School, located near the police station where the materials were being held.
In Hoima City, the distribution of PLE examination papers began at 7:30 a.m. under tight security, with both police and military officers escorting every vehicle carrying the materials.
Several schools in Gulu City began the exams nearly an hour later than scheduled.
The exams began at 9:54 a.m. at Christ Church Primary School, which serves as an examination center for three other schools.
The head teacher of Christ Church Primary School, Josephine Anena, said the delay was caused by the late arrival of examination materials.
She explained that the distributor faced challenges on poor roads while delivering materials, starting with schools in areas difficult to reach.
Christ Church Primary is currently accommodating 199 pupils from four schools: Gulu Public Primary School, Christ Church Primary School, Mt. Olive Nursery and Primary School, and Victory Nursery and Primary School.
However, Anena noted that two pupils from Christ Church Primary and Mt. Olive Nursery and Primary School did not report to the centre, as their parents had registered them to sit their exams at other schools.
In Lamogi Sub County in Amuru district, 10 pupils missed the exams across five schools.
Out of the 10 candidates; six are from Parabongo Primary School while Pagak Primary School, Keyo Primary School, Kaladima Primary School and Lacor Primary School all had one candidate missing.
In Nwoya district exams started late in most of the schools across the district by 15-45 minutes.
At Got Apwoyo Primary School and Purongo Primary School exams started at 45 minutes late, at Anaka Primary School and Alero Primary School exams started 25 minutes late.
As Primary Seven candidates began their PLE examinations this morning, schools in the Rwenzori region heightened security to ensure the safety of learners.
This follows recent attacks by armed groups on Kasese Central Police Station and Rugendabara Police Post, which left 19 people dead and led to the arrest of 40 suspects, many reportedly from Busongora North Constituency.
