The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), working with police in North Kyoga region, has arrested three individuals accused of attempting to bribe a UNEB scout to influence the supervision of the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) scheduled to begin tomorrow.
The suspects — George Odongo, Director of Atura Community Day Primary School; Simon Ekut, a former teacher at the school; and Lavoiser Awoko, a teacher at St. Gracious Primary School in Lira City — were arrested at Garden Hotel in Lira City after allegedly offering a UGX 1,000,000 bribe to a UNEB scout supervising exams in Oyam District.
Police recovered the money, which has been exhibited as evidence.
According to UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule Musamba, the trio attempted to compromise the integrity of the national examinations.
“The act was intended to compromise the integrity of the national examinations due to commence tomorrow,” Kalule noted. “Police, acting swiftly on a tip-off, arrested the suspects and recovered the money, which has been exhibited.”
Kalule said the suspects will be charged under Section 26 (1) (g) of the UNEB Act, CAP 259, which carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, a fine of UGX 20 million, or both upon conviction.
She warned all education stakeholders against engaging in examination malpractice.
“We caution the public and all those involved in the supervision of the PLE to desist from indulging in acts of aiding and abetting malpractice,” she stressed.
“UNEB is working closely with Police and other security agencies who will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone attempting to compromise the credibility of national examinations regardless of their status.”
UNEB’s Executive Director Dan Odongo also earlier cautioned scouts, invigilators, and the public to uphold the integrity of the exams.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
