The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has warned school administrators against stopping registered candidates from sitting their Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations over unpaid school fees.
The warning was issued on Monday, October 12, 2026, as 503,214 Senior Four candidates began their national examinations across the country, representing a 16.4% increase in candidature compared to the previous year.
UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule-Musamba urged school heads to resolve outstanding fee disputes with parents without disrupting candidates’ examinations.
She advised schools struggling to recover outstanding balances to submit the names of affected candidates to UNEB, allowing the board to temporarily withhold their results until the financial obligations are settled.
The directive follows a reported incident at Mother Land Academy in Nabweru, where a candidate was nearly prevented from entering an examination room over an outstanding school fees balance of Shs600,000. Security officers reportedly intervened in the matter.
Meanwhile, heavy morning rains disrupted the collection of examination materials in parts of Kampala and other districts. However, UNEB officials later confirmed that all morning examination papers had been collected.
The examinations are expected to continue until early November, with UNEB urging candidates to follow examination rules and avoid malpractice. The board has also reminded candidates to observe regulations governing late entry into examination rooms.
Key Highlights
- UNEB warning: Schools must not block registered UCE candidates over unpaid fees.
- 503,214 candidates: This year’s candidature has increased by 16.4% compared to 2025.
- Results may be withheld: Schools can submit names of candidates with outstanding balances to UNEB.
- Shs600,000 dispute: A candidate at Mother Land Academy in Nabweru was reportedly nearly denied entry over unpaid fees.
- Rain disruption: Heavy rains affected the collection of examination materials, but all morning papers were eventually collected.
Takeaway Points
- Registered candidates should be allowed to sit their examinations despite outstanding school fees.
- Schools are encouraged to pursue unpaid balances through the channels outlined by UNEB.
- Candidates must avoid examination malpractice and comply with all examination regulations.
- UCE examinations are scheduled to continue until early November.
