15 teachers convicted over exam malpractice

The Mengo Chief Magistrate, His Worship Adams Byarugaba, on Friday sentenced eight primary school teachers to one year in jail for examination malpractice, bringing the total number to 15.

The court said the convicts committed the offence in Kasanda district during the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).

Counsel Annet Kemali, who represented Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) in the case, says the eight brings to fifteen the total number of persons, including teachers and scouts, who were arrested and prosecuted over the same from Kasanda district.

The eight were convicted on their own plea of guilt and will serve their custodial jail term in a government prison.

"The accused pleaded guilty and saved the court a lot of time, which is why the court considered it to give a custodial sentence. However, this should act as a Warning to those planning to commit the same act,” Chief Magistrate Byarugaba ruled on Friday.

The case involves the Director of Nkoba Primary School, who connived with the District Inspector of Kassanda to open up examination materials and shared them electronically before the approved starting time.

"They opened the examination papers, took photos, and started sharing among themselves as they sold them to different schools across the country", said UNEB`s lawyer Kemali during the court proceeding.

They also issued examination answer guides that later spread across the country.

The convicted teachers will also appear before the disciplinary council, as well as face the cancellation of their teaching licenses.

On Saturday, UNEB Spokesperson, Ms Jennifer Kalule, shared the list of the 15 implicated persons with this publication.

List

1. Nalima Benedicto - District Inspector of Schools, Kasanda

2. Ssempijja Emmanuel - Director , Nkoba Primary School in Kasanda

3. Akol Julius, a teacher at Nkoba Primary School

4. Omagoro James, a teacher at Nkoba Primary School

5. Nuwagira Deus, a teacher at Nkoba Primary School

6. Ssebatanzi Augustine of Nkoba Primary School

7. Obonipe Joshua, Nkoba Primary School

8. Ochidna Kennedy of Bright Precious Primary School, Kiteezi in Wakiso

9. Okot Godfrey of Bright Precious Primary School, Kiteezi

10. Ecodu Misach of Nkoba Primary School

11. Kizza Steven of Nkoba Primary School

12. Tabu Collins Kaka of Nkoba Primary School

13. Kisenyi Ronald of Nkoba Primary School

14. Jalla Micheal of Smiles School, Nansana

15. Tumuhimbise Ambrose of One Heart Junior School Busiika