Sembabule MP Nambaziira Admits Skipping PLE and UCE Exams in Court Petition

Sembabule District Woman MP Florence Nambaziira has made a surprising revelation before the Masaka High Court, admitting that she never sat the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) or the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations.

Testifying before Justice Christine Akello, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislator defended her academic qualifications by pointing to her vocational training in hairdressing and practical business experience. The court appearance is part of an ongoing election petition filed by her rival, independent candidate Mary Begumisa, who is challenging both Nambaziira’s academic eligibility and the overall conduct of the parliamentary race.

During cross-examination, Nambaziira struggled to immediately define PLE before clarifying that although she attended school, she did not sit her Primary Seven or Senior Four national examinations. Instead, she pursued vocational studies, earning certificates covering three grades of hairdressing, business management, and customer care.

“I didn’t study Primary Seven and I didn’t do PLE, but I went to a vocational school. I am an expert in plaiting hair, washing hair, styling it and applying makeup,” Nambaziira told the court, adding that she now runs a company that trains others in the profession and manufactures hair relaxers.

The legal challenge has also drawn testimonies from other key figures. Moses Mugizi, an official from the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), testified remotely via Zoom regarding Nambaziira’s academic records, stating the presented documents did not qualify her for university admission. Meanwhile, Sembabule District Electoral Officer Gracious Aryaija faced questioning regarding Declaration of Results forms amid wider allegations of electoral malpractice and voter intimidation raised by local residents.

The court will ultimately evaluate the competing arguments, examine the submitted vocational and academic papers, and assess the broader electoral claims before issuing a final verdict on the contentious parliamentary seat. Read more details of the court proceedings in the original report on Nile Post.