Schools must allow all registered candidates to sit national examinations despite unpaid fees, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has warned as more than 503,000 Senior Four learners begin their final papers.
The warning came as security officers intervened at Mother Land Academy in Nabweru on October 12, 2026, after a school nearly barred a candidate over a Shs600,000 balance. She later sat the examination.
UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule-Musamba said schools should settle fee disputes with parents before examinations begin.
Speaking to journalists at the Uganda Police Force headquarters in Naguru, she urged schools and parents to sign agreements setting out how they would clear outstanding fees.
“As a school director or head of the examination centre, you have a responsibility to ensure that all registered candidates sit their exams. Your job is to hand them over to UNEB,” she said.
Kalule-Musamba said the board still receives reports of schools attempting to block candidates because of fee arrears.
“We hope and believe that this year, no student has been or will be stopped from sitting their exams.”
Schools seeking to recover unpaid fees can submit affected candidates’ names to UNEB and request a temporary hold on their results. The board can release the results once the balances are cleared, she said.
A total of 503,214 candidates registered for this year’s Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, up from about 433,000 in 2025. UNEB puts the increase at 16.4 per cent.
Candidates began with Mathematics Paper 1 on October 12. The afternoon programme included General Science (Chemistry) Paper 2 and Chemistry Paper 1 Theory. English Language and History and Political Education follow on October 13.
Heavy morning rain delayed the collection of examination materials in parts of Kampala and other districts. At Jinja Road Police Station, some school heads were still collecting papers shortly before the scheduled start. UNEB later confirmed that all morning papers had been collected.
Kalule-Musamba also warned candidates against arriving late, saying those who turn up 15 minutes after a paper starts cannot sit it.
UNEB registered 1,627,885 candidates across UCE, Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) this year. That represents an increase of 211,437 from 2025. Female candidates account for 52 per cent.
UCE papers will continue until early November. PLE candidates will receive their briefing on October 30, while UACE briefing is scheduled for November 6.
The board also urged examination centre heads to enforce security procedures and guard against malpractice.
