Lira City, Uganda | November 2, 2025 – The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has confirmed the arrest of three teachers in Lira City for allegedly attempting to bribe a UNEB scout with UGX 1 million (about USD 270) in a bid to influence the supervision of the forthcoming Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), scheduled to start on Monday, November 3, 2025.
According to the Uganda National Examinations Board, the arrests were carried out by the Territorial Police in the North Kyoga Region following a tip-off that the group was planning to compromise the integrity of the exams.
The suspects have been identified as Odongo George, the Director of Atura Community Day Primary School; Ekut Simon, a 32-year-old former teacher at the same institution; and Awoko Lavoiser, a 26-year-old teacher at St. Gracious Primary School in Barapwo, Lira City West Division. They were apprehended at Garden Hotel in Lira City, where police recovered the cash allegedly meant to bribe the UNEB scout. The money has since been exhibited as evidence.
According to UNEB, the scout, who had been assigned to supervise examinations in Oyam District, reported the attempted bribery to authorities, prompting an immediate joint operation between UNEB and the police. The board says this action demonstrates its growing vigilance against examination malpractice.
The suspects are expected to face charges under Section 26(1)(g) of the UNEB Act, Cap 259, which provides for a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of UGX 20 million (about USD 5,400), or both upon conviction. Police say investigations are ongoing, and the accused will be arraigned in court soon.
UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo issued a stern warning to teachers, parents, and school administrators, urging them to desist from attempts to influence exam outcomes.
“UNEB is working closely with the Police and other security agencies who will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone attempting to compromise the credibility of national examinations, regardless of their status,” Odongo said.
The board emphasized that such arrests are part of a broader crackdown on examination malpractice across the country. In the 2024 PLE cycle, UNEB recorded 68 arrests for similar offenses, securing 12 convictions. The 2020 UNEB Amendment Bill strengthened penalties for exam-related offenses, reflecting the government’s commitment to maintaining the credibility of the country’s education system.
Public reactions to the arrests have been mixed. While some Ugandans commended UNEB’s vigilance, others expressed skepticism about whether such measures will curb deep-rooted corruption in the education sector. One online user remarked nostalgically that “the 1995 PLE era was about hard work, not bribes.”
With more than 700,000 candidates expected to sit for the national exams starting Monday, UNEB and the police have intensified joint security operations to ensure a smooth and credible examination process.
