Lira City, Uganda: The Territorial Police in the North Kyoga Region have arrested three suspects for allegedly attempting to bribe a Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) scout with UGX 1 million in a bid to influence the conduct of the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) scheduled to begin Monday.
According to UNEB Spokesperson Jennifer Kalule-Musamba, the suspects identified as Odongo George, Director of Atura Community Day Primary School; Ekut Simon (32), a former teacher at the same school; and Awoko Lavoiser (26), a teacher at St. Gracious Primary School, Barapwo, Lira City West Division, were intercepted on Sunday evening at Garden Hotel in Lira City after the police received a tip-off.
“The trio allegedly attempted to bribe a UNEB Scout from Lira who had been assigned to supervise the PLE in Oyam District. They offered him a bribe of UGX 1 million to influence examination conduct,” Ms Kalule said.
She added that police were able to recover the bribe money, which has since been exhibited as evidence, and the suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
The three, according to Ms Kalule, will be charged under Section 26(1)(g) of the UNEB Act, CAP 259, which prohibits attempts to influence examination processes. The law provides for a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of UGX 20 million, or both upon conviction.
She further reiterated UNEB’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the national examinations. “UNEB, in collaboration with the Police and other security agencies, will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone attempting to compromise the credibility of the examinations, regardless of their status,” Kalule warned.
Earlier this week, UNEB Executive Director Mr Dan Odongo, cautioned the public, school administrators, and all officials involved in examination supervision to refrain from acts of aiding and abetting malpractice, stressing that such behaviour undermines the credibility of Uganda’s education system.
The arrest comes just hours before candidates across the country sit for their PLE examinations, marking the final stage of Uganda’s primary education cycle.
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