UNEB Warns Against Malpractice, Nine Arrested For Selling Counterfeit Papers

By Kundu Ronald

Kampala – The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has issued a stern warning against examination malpractice following the joint arrest of nine individuals involved in the sale of counterfeit UNEB examination papers. This incident has sent shockwaves through the educational community and the nation as a whole, prompting UNEB to take a proactive stance in preserving the integrity of the examination system.

Of the nine arrested, six have already appeared in court and have been remanded to Luzira prison, while the remaining suspects are still at large, evading the authorities. Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, confirmed the ongoing pursuit of these fugitives, expressing determination to bring them to justice.

The suspects, including some teachers, have primarily been traced back to urban schools in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono Districts. Evidence suggests that these individuals were part of a network responsible for distributing counterfeit examination materials to schools in rural areas.

Dan Odongo, the Executive Director of UNEB, has labeled the arrested individuals as fraudsters aiming to swindle school directors, heads, and parents out of substantial sums of money. Odongo clarified that these criminals often initiate the sale of materials purported to be UNEB papers in the lead-up to the examinations.

What's particularly alarming is the use of social media platforms, such as WhatsApp groups, to falsely claim connections to UNEB insiders who could provide leaked examination materials. Odongo emphasized that these materials do not actually comprise UNEB examination papers.

To further illustrate the audacity of these individuals, some of the materials they were circulating were falsely labeled as Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) papers. It's worth noting that at the time of their apprehension, the legitimate UNEB examination papers had not even been generated. In light of this, Odongo issued a stern warning to the public, asserting that the full force of the law will apply to anyone involved in the sale, purchase, distribution, or electronic sharing of materials claimed to be national examination papers, regardless of their authenticity.

The recent changes in the UNEB Act have added gravity to the situation. According to this act, "any person who willfully attempts to gain possession of any examination paper or any part of an examination paper, material, or information commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two thousand currency points (40 million shillings) or a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both." Section 25 (2) of the same act adds that anyone who intentionally or negligently aids or causes any candidate to receive or gain unlawful possession of examination material may face a fine of up to Shs 20 million or 5 years in prison, or both.

UNEB is committed to addressing this matter and ensuring the smooth conduct of examinations. They have extended an invitation to the public to act as whistleblowers, encouraging individuals to report any suspicions of examination malpractice, both before and during the examination process. Odongo assured that if information provided by whistleblowers is verified to be accurate, they will be eligible for an undisclosed monetary reward.

In a bid to combat malpractice and maintain the integrity of the examinations, UNEB, in collaboration with other agencies and contracted professionals, will deploy an impressive number of personnel. This includes 1,036 police officers, 1,113 scouts, and a staggering 107,941 invigilators.

UNEB acknowledges that although they have taken measures to minimize the risk of examination leaks from within the board, some vulnerabilities still exist in the distribution chain, particularly during the transportation of examination papers from storage centers to the designated examination centers.

Beyond distribution concerns, various forms of malpractice have been detected in the past, with a focus on examination venues. These include instances of impersonation where candidates hire surrogates to take the exam on their behalf, as witnessed in previous cycles. This has led to charges and sentences for several individuals involved.

Other issues include teachers providing answers on blackboards after bribing examination officials, candidates attempting to smuggle unauthorized materials into the examination room, or copying from their peers, among other unethical practices.

UNEB has consistently emphasized the importance of the pre-examination briefing, urging schools to ensure that candidates are meticulously guided through the examination timetables and regulations. Odongo underscored that there is often evidence suggesting that either candidates were not adequately briefed or that the briefing process was not carried out as required. It is vital that comprehensive briefings are conducted without shortcuts, as the absence of proper briefing will not be accepted as an excuse for regulatory violations.

Enanga revealed that the police force has already conducted extensive briefings for its officers. In addition to police personnel stationed at examination centers and distribution routes to prevent malpractice, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is on high alert to investigate cases of malpractice, including incidents such as impersonation witnessed in the previous examination cycle.

In parallel, UNEB has reiterated its call for schools and parents to settle any outstanding school fee issues before the commencement of the actual examinations. Odongo stressed that students with school fee balances may still be allowed to sit for the exams. However, schools are urged to promptly inform UNEB about such cases to ensure that individuals with outstanding fees cannot access their examination results until their balances have been cleared.

For the 2023 national examinations, a staggering 1,224,371 candidates have been registered to take their final examinations across three education levels: the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE).

The national examinations for this year are scheduled to kick off on Monday, October 16, with UCE candidates writing their examinations. The examination period will extend until November 17, 2023. PLE will take place from November 7 to 9, 2023, while UACE is scheduled from November 10 to December 1, 2023.

The recent events have raised concerns about the security and integrity of the examination process, emphasizing the need for stringent measures to combat malpractice and ensure that students are fairly and accurately assessed. The public will be closely watching as UNEB and the authorities strive to maintain the sanctity of the examination system and preserve the future of Uganda's education.