UNEB Registers 920,833 Candidates for PLE as Numbers Rise by 12.5%

What the report says

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has registered 920,833 candidates for the 2026 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), according to Nile Post, marking a 12.5% increase from last year. UNEB Principal Public Relations Officer Jennifer Kalule Musamba said the candidates are spread across 16,478 examination centres nationwide, with the PLE set to begin on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, after candidates are briefed at their centres.

UNEB said it has already started moving examination materials to distribution centres ahead of the papers. The board said the Tuesday start date, instead of Monday, was chosen to reduce logistical problems raised by stakeholders, especially transport delays and difficulties in handling materials over the weekend. Kalule said Monday was reserved to allow logistics teams and related offices to complete preparations.

The board reported that 52.7% of the registered candidates are female and 47.3% are male. It also said 62.5% of the candidates come from government-sponsored Universal Primary Education schools, while 37.5% are from private schools. UNEB used the figures to highlight continued enrolment in UPE schools and praised teachers in those institutions.

Nile Post also reported that 53 candidates from Uganda Government Upper Prison School in Luzira are among those sitting the exams, with UNEB thanking prison authorities for helping them participate. The PLE is part of a busy exam season for UNEB, which is also handling UCE and UACE assessments. The board said no major incidents had been recorded in the previous two weeks and stressed examination security and credibility.