KAMPALA – 13 October 2025: The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has issued a powerful caution to all candidates and stakeholders ahead of the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, declaring a “zero tolerance” policy for any form of malpractice in or around the examination room.
The examination body stressed that involvement in malpractice in even a single paper will lead to the cancellation of the results of the entire examination for the candidate. Furthermore, all suspected individuals—candidates and others concerned—will be summoned to appear before the Board for action, which could lead to disqualification, cancellation of results, or even arrest.
In a comprehensive statement released to the public, UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo detailed a list of thirteen acts considered gross examination malpractice, which will attract severe penalties under the UNEB Act, 2021.
Key Offences Leading to Cancellation or Arrest:
The Board highlighted that the following actions will result in immediate and serious consequences:
Smuggling of unauthorized material into the examination room.
Collusion: Copying from one another or leaving work exposed for another candidate to copy.
External Assistance: Receiving help from teachers or any other persons.
Impersonation: Hiring or allowing another person to sit the examination on behalf of the registered candidate.
Possession of Communication Gadgets: Being in possession of a mobile phone or any other communication device in or around the examination room.
Improper Behaviour: Acts like making noise, disobeying supervisors/invigilators, or violent behaviour such as attacking or threatening invigilators.
Tearing or Tampering with Scripts:
Tearing the answer booklet/script, tearing out pages, or folding the script in any way, which will result in the scripts not being marked.
Substitution of Scripts during or after the examination is also prohibited.
UNEB also warns against taking longer than the stipulated time, submitting more than one script, or being in possession of unauthorized materials while in confinement before a practical examination.
The Board is appealing to the public for vigilance. Candidates, Invigilators, Teachers, and Headteachers who suspect anyone of indulging in examination malpractice are urged to report directly to the Executive Director, UNEB, through the official channels provided.
Contact Information for Reporting Malpractice:
Email: uneb@uneb.ac.ug or unebsecretariat@gmail.com
Toll-Free Telephone: 0800211077 or 0800111427.
According to UNEB, the stern warning serves as a final reminder to all candidates to adhere strictly to examination regulations as they sit for their final secondary school examinations.
