Five Arrested Over Fake UCE Papers as UNEB Warns Public of Exam Scams

What the report says

The Uganda National Examinations Board has arrested five people suspected of selling fake Uganda Certificate of Education papers as the 2026 UCE examinations get underway. According to Nile Post, the arrests were made by UNEB’s security team, and the suspects are expected to face charges under the relevant laws.

UNEB Executive Director Daniel Odongo said the arrests followed reports that some people had been posing as sellers of genuine exam materials and misleading members of the public. He warned candidates, parents and other members of the public not to pay for papers claimed to be leaked or authentic, saying the board would use its resources to pursue those involved in exam fraud.

The warning came on Thursday during the official commissioning of the 2026 UCE exams at UNEB offices in Kyambogo. Odongo said the board would enforce the UNEB Act and the Penal Code against anyone involved in the scheme, including people who try to obtain exam material unlawfully. He cited penalties under the law that can include a heavy fine or prison term.

The article said 503,355 candidates are sitting for the 2026 UCE cycle, with girls slightly outnumbering boys and total registration up compared with last year. UNEB said security teams were already deployed to protect the exams and curb malpractice as the national exercise begins.