Ministry directs district leaders to prevent malpractice in 2026 PLE

What the report says

Uganda’s Ministry of Local Government has directed chief administrative officers, city town clerks and municipal town clerks to put preventive measures in place ahead of the 2026 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE). According to Watchdog Uganda, the instruction was issued in a letter dated October 30, 2026 by Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya, who said local government leaders should coordinate the administration and management of the exams in their areas.

The ministry said the aim is to protect the integrity and credibility of the national examinations, which are scheduled for the first week of November. Kumumanya told the officers to ensure that any examination malpractice is prevented and that cases involving officials are handled under the relevant laws and regulations. The directive places local authorities at the centre of exam coordination in their districts, cities and municipalities.

Watchdog Uganda reported that Kumumanya also referred officials to an earlier circular on disciplinary action against head teachers, teachers and school directors linked to malpractice and poor performance in the 2025 PLE. The latest communication was copied to senior government offices, including the ministers responsible for local government and the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports.

The move reflects continuing government efforts to curb cheating and strengthen oversight of Uganda’s primary national examinations, which are a key assessment for Primary Seven pupils.