education 12 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Six remanded for fake UCE exam papers as 2026 exams commence nationwide
As over half a million candidates began their Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams, authorities reported the remand of six individuals for circulating fake examination papers online. The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) issued strong warnings against such malpractice. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/six-remanded-over-fake-papers-as-uce-2026-exams-kick-off-countrywide-5629178
The 2026 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations kicked off nationwide on Monday, October 12, 2026, with 503,055 candidates registered to sit for the papers. This marks a 16.4 percent increase from the previous year.
Ahead of the exams, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has taken a firm stance against examination malpractice. Six suspects accused of selling fake examination papers on social media have been remanded in custody by the KCCA Magistrate’s Court until October 19, 2026. UNEB Principal Public Relations Officer Jennifer Kalule-Musamba warned that participating in or remaining in social media groups trading purported exam papers could lead to severe legal consequences.
Offenders face penalties under the UNEB Act, including fines of up to Shs40 million, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. These penalties apply whether the circulated papers are genuine or fake. To ensure the integrity of the examinations, UNEB has deployed over 2,000 scouts and nearly 600 security personnel across the country.
Despite heavy rains and localized flooding causing transport disruptions in some areas, UNEB confirmed the successful and timely distribution of examination materials to all 4,514 examination centers. Candidates began with Mathematics Paper 1, followed by Chemistry Papers 1 and 2. UNEB commended its teams for their resilience in overcoming logistical challenges.
UNEB also issued a directive to school headteachers, cautioning them against withholding candidates or preventing them from sitting exams due to unpaid school fees. The board emphasized that such actions pose a security risk and can negatively impact student performance, advising headteachers to pursue fee recovery through administrative channels post-results.
This year’s UCE exams are the fourth cohort under the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Special provisions have been made for 906 candidates with Special Educational Needs, including braille materials, large-print papers, and sign language interpreters. Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspected malpractice via UNEB’s toll-free line at 0800-211-077, with assurances of whistle-blower protection.