In Summary: More than 920,000 pupils across Uganda are expected to begin their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) today, November 3, following a 12.5 per cent increase in registration, with UNEB urging candidates and examination officials to observe examination rules and maintain the integrity of the assessment.
Kampala, Uganda — A total of 920,833 pupils across Uganda are expected to begin their 2026 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) today, Tuesday, November 3, following a 12.5 per cent increase in candidate registration compared to last year.
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) confirmed yesterday that the record number of candidates will sit their finals at 16,478 examination centres countrywide, marking an increase in the number of learners completing the primary education cycle.
UNEB Principal Public Relations Officer Jennifer Kalule Musamba while addressing the media at Police Headquaters in Naguru, said the board had started distributing examination materials to various distribution centres to ensure they reach all examination centres in time.
“As I speak right now, we are transporting the various examination materials to the various distribution centres. This began yesterday, and we continue to distribute all the examination materials to ensure that all our centres are able to access them in good time,” Kalule said.
She explained that the decision to begin the examinations on Tuesday rather than Monday was intended to address logistical challenges previously raised by stakeholders, particularly concerning the transportation of examination materials and delays in facilitating personnel involved in the process.
According to Kalule, some stakeholders had reported difficulties transporting examination materials over the weekend, which sometimes affected the timely facilitation of those handling the exercise.
Monday was therefore set aside to allow officials responsible for examination logistics to complete the necessary arrangements, with relevant offices and personnel available to support the process.
Kalule said UNEB had completed preparations for the examinations and urged examination centre heads to adequately brief candidates on the rules and regulations to minimise cases of examination malpractice. “We hope that they did a very good job. If they did a good job, we know we shall not have many cases of examination malpractice,” she said.
Of the 920,833 registered candidates, 52.7 per cent are female, while 47.3 per cent are male, according to UNEB.
The board also reported that 62.5 per cent of candidates registered from government-sponsored Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools, while 37.5 per cent came from private schools.
Kalule applauded government-aided schools and their teachers, saying the number of learners registered from UPE schools reflected continued confidence among parents in the programme.
“We want to applaud all those centres and the teachers who teach at the UPE schools because of the good work they are doing. More parents are finding it comfortable to take their learners to those schools,” she said.
This year’s examinations will also include 53 candidates from Uganda Government Upper Prison School at Luzira Government Prison. Of these, six are female and 47 are male.
Kalule thanked the prison authorities for facilitating the learners to sit their examinations despite their incarceration. “We want to thank the prison services and the administration for giving these candidates an opportunity to sit for their examination,” she said.
The PLE examinations are part of a busy period for UNEB, which is conducting three national examinations within the same examination season.
The ongoing Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations are expected to conclude today, November 3, while PLE will run for two days, ending Wednesday, November 4.
Meanwhile, Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) candidates will be briefed on Friday, November 6, before beginning their examinations on Monday, November 9. The examinations are scheduled to run until November 26.
Kalule said the board had not recorded any major incidents during the preceding two weeks of examinations, thanking all stakeholders involved in the exercise. “We are happy to report that for the last two weeks, we’ve not had any major incidents. I want to thank everybody who has been part of this process thus far,” she said.
Key figures
- 920,833 registered candidates.
- 12.5% increase compared to 2025.
- 16,478 examination centres.
- 52.7% female candidates.
- 47.3% male candidates.
- 53 candidates from Uganda Government Upper Prison School.
UNEB is conducting the examinations under the theme, “Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through Secure, Credible, Inclusive and Innovative Processes.”
The board has emphasised examination security and the protection of candidates as essential to maintaining the credibility of Uganda’s national assessment and certification system.
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