Yumbe District | THE BLACK EXAMINER | Seven teachers in Yumbe have been apprehended for their alleged involvement in exam malpractice during the ongoing Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams. The teachers, along with an invigilator, are accused of sneaking a smartphone into the examination hall with answers to a biology exam.

According to Jennifer Kalule, the spokesperson for the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), the arrested individuals are Julius Caesar Obbo, Josephine Angukoru, Boniface Nibiningirwa, Godwin Wasswa, James Bamukabire, Emmanuel Okello, Saddam Hussein from Napita Secondary School, and Oryem Bosco, the invigilator.

It is reported that on October 19, while exams were in progress, the suspects entered the examination hall with power banks, smartphones, and a laptop, claiming they needed to charge them. The unusual behavior caught the attention of an exam scout who promptly reported it to the police. Subsequent investigations revealed that Julius Caesar Obbo’s smartphone contained answers to the biology practical examination.

All eight individuals are currently in police custody, awaiting court appearances. UNEB’s Jennifer Kalule issued a warning to students, teachers, invigilators, scouts, and the general public, cautioning them against any involvement in exam malpractice as it carries serious legal consequences.

Unauthorized possession of any material purporting to be a UNEB examination is considered an offense under the UNEB Act 2021, Section 25(1). This includes having such materials on a mobile phone, laptop, or any other electronic device. Those found guilty of this offense could face a fine of up to UGX 20 million (approximately 5,000 USD) or imprisonment for up to five years.

Jennifer Kalule added that the ongoing UCE exams have progressed into the second week, with the first week being relatively successful, marked by only a few minor incidents. Cases related to exam malpractice, external assistance, destruction of exam materials, and digital sharing of supposed UNEB exam papers are being handled by the police. Two of these cases have already been heard in court, resulting in the remand of the suspects to prison.

Tragically, two Special Needs Education (SNE) candidates, both suffering from sickle cell anemia, have passed away during the course of the week. One of the students, Wamutale Edwin, attended St. Noa Mawagali SS in Jinja, while the other, Celine Anne Namuwase, was a student at St. Andrew Kaggwa, Gombe High School in Kawaala, near Kampala.