Mega Fm Team
The 2026 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations have kicked off smoothly across West Acholi sub region, with one registered candidate missing at Paicho Senior Secondary School in Paicho sub county and a 15-minute delay reported at Lukome Secondary School in Bungatira sub county, Gulu district.
Gulu District has only three examination centres, with candidates beginning the examinations with History Paper One and Mathematics Paper One in the morning.
According to Akello Lucy Okot, the Head Teacher of Paicho Senior secondary school, the missing candidate also failed to show up for the briefing last week and efforts were made by the school to locate the candidate but all in vain.
At PP Newton Secondary School in Unyama Sub County, out of the 22 registered candidates, one male candidate failed to report for exams despite attending the briefing.
At Lukome Secondary School, in Bungatira Sub County, exams started 15 minutes late after delays in collecting examination papers from Awach Police Station.
Betty Odong, the Headteacher of Lukome, attributed the delays to poor and bad road network.
Gulu District Education Officer Atim Harriet Okot said the examinations had started well across the district, adding that her office would continue monitoring the centres throughout the examination period to ensure a smooth exercise.
At Gulu Central High School in Gulu city, exams started on time, with all 104 registered candidates, comprising 54 girls and 50 boys, reporting for their papers. At Bishop Angelo Negri College, all 42 registered candidates also reported for the examinations.
At St. Thomas More Secondary School, In Omoro District, examinations similarly commenced well, with all 40 registered candidates sitting for the exams. Koro Secondary School also in Omoro district recorded full attendance including 36 girls and 43 boys. At Opit Secondary School, all 37 registered candidates, including 10 girls and 27 boys, reported for the examinations.
However, Pabbo Secondary School in Amuru district recorded two absentees out of its 70 registered candidates. Betty Amito, the school head teacher, said the two candidates have dropped out of school due to unknown reasons.
Keyo Secondary school and St Mary`s College Lacor, all registered 100% presence of candidates sitting for the exams.
Joyce Lanyero, the Amuru district Education Officer said the exams started well in most of the schools in the district.
According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), 203,000 candidates are sitting the 2026 UACE exams, marking a milestone as the pioneer cohort of the Competency-Based Curriculum completes its A-Level education.
