The Uganda National Examinations Board has reported a case involving the handling of examination registration fees at a secondary school in Mpigi District, where a student who paid for registration was unable to sit this year’s Uganda Certificate of Education examinations.
The case emerged as the national examinations entered their third week, with the board reporting that the first two weeks had passed without major challenges.
In a statement dated October 26, 2026, UNEB said its contracted examination professionals had completed their assignments at various examination stations at the end of the second week.
“At the end of week two, our contracted professionals ended their duties at the various stations, and we would like to thank them for doing a good job,” said Jennifer Kalule-Musamba, the board’s principal public relations officer.
The board said candidates were continuing with elective subjects, including practical examinations, as preparations gathered pace for the next phase of the national examination calendar.
But alongside the progress report, UNEB disclosed a case in which a student’s opportunity to sit the examinations had been lost despite money having been paid for registration.
The student, Sumaya Nakato, had paid Shs300,000 to Sheperd House High School for registration but was never registered, according to the board. As a result, she could not qualify to sit the 2026 UCE examinations.
The school’s headteacher, Ann Mugisha, was issued a police bond over the matter and agreed to pay the fees for a remedial year for the affected student, UNEB said.
“A case of Misappropriation of UNEB Registration Fees was reported in Mpigi district involving the Headteacher of Sheperd House High School. One student, Nakato Sumaya, paid 300,000/= for registration, but was never registered so she could not qualify to write the UCE Examination this year.
The Headteacher, Ms. Ann Mugisha, was issued a police bond. She also agreed to pay all the fees for a remedial year for the victim.” Jennifer Kalule-Musamba, UNEB spokesperson.
The disclosure raises questions about the safeguards available to students who entrust schools with examination registration payments, particularly when the consequences of an administrative failure emerge only after the examination process has begun.
For Nakato, the immediate consequence is that she will have to wait for another opportunity to pursue her UCE qualification.
UCE examinations continue
UNEB said the examinations would continue until November 3, 2026, the same day candidates sitting the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) are scheduled to begin writing their papers.
The week’s UCE timetable included Physics Practical Paper 3 and Kiswahili on Monday, followed by other elective subjects, among them Ugandan Sign Language, Biology Practical Paper 3, Technology and Design, Agriculture Practical, Art and Design Papers 1 and 2, Physical Education Theory, Entrepreneurship, and Nutrition and Food Technology.
The board described the first two weeks as successful, reporting no major challenges in the conduct of the examinations.
The 2026 examination exercise is being conducted under the theme, “Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through Secure, Credible, Inclusive, and Innovative Processes.”
Meanwhile, a group of Ugandans has landed in trouble for selling fake UCE papers, as reported Here.
