UNEB Warns UCE Candidates Malpractice Could Cancel All Exam Results

What the report says

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has warned candidates for the 2026 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams that cheating in even one paper can lead to cancellation of results for the entire examination. The warning was issued by UNEB Executive Director Daniel Odongo on Thursday during the official commissioning of the end-of-cycle exams at the board’s offices in Kyambogo.

UNEB said the message was meant to reach all candidates before they sit for the papers, with headteachers instructed to personally brief students on the timetable, rules and regulations before they enter the examination room. Candidates were also told to read the anti-malpractice notice printed on their timetables and the instructions on answer booklets. Odongo stressed that all examination stakeholders must help safeguard the integrity of the process.

The board said 503,355 candidates have registered for the 2026 UCE exams, up 16% from last year, including 264,722 females and 238,333 males. UNEB also said it has deployed 222 support personnel, including transcribers, to assist candidates who need additional help. The exams are being run under the theme of secure, credible, inclusive and innovative assessment processes. More broadly, exam boards in Uganda have increasingly warned against malpractice amid concerns over leaked papers and other forms of cheating.