By Jumah Kakomo
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has called on headteachers, parents and religious leaders across the country to offer moral, emotional and spiritual support to Primary Seven candidates as the 2026 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) officially commence.
In a statement marking the start of the examinations, UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule said the first activity is the briefing of candidates at their respective schools and examination centres, where they will sit their papers.
A total of 920,833 candidates have registered for this year’s PLE examinations from 16,478 examination centres across the country. Girls account for 52.7% of the registered candidates, while boys constitute 47.3%
UNEB has urged heads of examination centres to personally conduct the candidates’ briefing and ensure that all examination instructions, as outlined in the official timetable, are clearly explained and understood.
The Board has emphasised the importance of candidates adhering to examination regulations, warning that any form of examination malpractice or irregularity could lead to the cancellation of results. Candidates have also been cautioned against engaging in activities that could disrupt their concentration or compromise their participation in the examinations.
Parents have been encouraged, where possible, to attend the briefing sessions and provide their children with reassurance, encouragement and moral support as they prepare for their first national examination.
Kalule noted that PLE is a particularly important milestone in the education journey of learners, being the first national examination they undertake. She therefore emphasised the need for candidates to receive adequate encouragement and emotional support during this period.
UNEB has also appealed to religious leaders and faith-based institutions to remember the candidates in prayer during worship services over the weekend.
Muslim leaders and congregations have been encouraged to pray for the candidates during Friday prayers, while Seventh-day Adventist congregations have been urged to dedicate them during Saturday worship services. Other Christian denominations have similarly been called upon to include the candidates in their prayers during Sunday services.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations are entering their third week, with candidates scheduled to sit Art and Design Planning Paper and Nutrition and Food Technology Theory in the morning.
Candidates offering Art and Design will also undertake their Production Paper in the afternoon.
UNEB has wished all candidates sitting the various national examinations success, urging them to remain focused, disciplined and confident while observing all examination guidelines throughout the examination period.
