The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has officially commenced the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) with the briefing of candidates across the country, marking a key milestone for over 817,000 learners sitting their first national examination.
Addressing the nation, UNEB Executive Director Dan N. Odongo expressed gratitude to teachers for calling off their industrial action, saying their presence was essential to safeguarding the integrity of the assessment process.
“The PLE is the first national examination in the lives of our children. The results must be derived from a fair process,” Odongo said.
“I express profound gratitude to the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) for calling off their industrial action so teachers are available to participate in this important task.”
This year, 817,885 candidates registered for PLE—an increase from 797,444 in 2024. More than half, 52%, are girls, while 48% are boys.
A total of 522,039 candidates are under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program, while 295,846 are privately sponsored.
The Board also confirmed 61 candidates from Luzira Upper Prison School and 3,644 learners with special needs, all set to receive tailored support including braille exams, large print papers, sign language interpreters and transcribers.
“UNEB has deployed 1,505 support personnel to ensure all SNE candidates receive the assistance they require,” Odongo noted.
To secure and manage the examination, UNEB has deployed 59,890 personnel, including monitors, scouts, chief invigilators, invigilators and security officers.
Odongo issued a stern warning to individuals planning to engage in or facilitate examination malpractice, especially through online platforms circulating fake exam papers.
“Any person found circulating what they purport to be PLE papers will face up to ten years in prison or a fine of forty million shillings,” he warned, quoting the UNEB Act.
He also cautioned invigilators and scouts against negligence, saying they face up to five years in jail or a fine of twenty million shillings if found culpable.
UNEB encouraged the public to report misconduct using its toll-free lines, assuring whistleblowers of protection under the Board’s policy.
The UNEB boss revealed ongoing arrests linked to impersonation schemes where secondary school students are registered to sit PLE to distort performance records. Offending schools risk losing examination centre status.
Odongo urged candidates to remain calm, disciplined and confident, adding that exam questions are drawn from content they have already studied.
“Anyone trying to give you assistance during the examination will cause the cancellation of your results,” he stressed.
“Please remain calm, confident, and follow the instructions.”
He called upon parents, religious leaders and the public to pray for the learners as examinations begin.