The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has officially released the timetable for the 2026 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), putting an end to uncertainty created by fake and unverified examination schedules circulating ahead of the national examinations.
According to the official programme, candidates will be briefed on Friday, October 30, 2026, starting at 9am before sitting their first papers the following week.
Mathematics will be the first examination on Tuesday, November 3, starting at 9am and lasting two hours and 30 minutes.
In the afternoon, candidates will sit Social Studies and Religious Education (SST/RE) from 2pm for two hours and 15 minutes. On Wednesday, November 4, candidates will return for Integrated Science at 9am, with the paper lasting two hours and 15 minutes.
English will be the final paper, starting at 2pm and running for two hours and 15 minutes.
The schedule means that candidates will complete all four PLE papers within two examination days.
UNEB Warns Against Unofficial Timetables
The release comes after earlier circulation of purported examination schedules, highlighting the need for candidates, parents and schools to rely on information issued through official UNEB channels.
UNEB has previously warned the public about fraudulent examination-related information. The examinations body has also taken action against individuals involved in malpractice. In April 2026, the board reported that seven teachers had been sentenced to one year in prison for their involvement in examination malpractice during the 2025 PLE.
The board has also maintained official communication channels through its website and examination registration systems. UNEB’s June registration statement showed that 915,614 candidates had been provisionally registered for the 2026 PLE before the normal registration deadline.
The figure was part of more than 1.6 million candidates provisionally registered across PLE, UCE and UACE at that stage.
Candidates Must Arrive Early
UNEB has directed candidates to report to their examination rooms early enough to allow for proper preparation before each paper.
Candidates sitting morning examinations are expected to be at the examination centre by 8:30am, while those sitting afternoon papers should arrive by 1:30pm.
The board has also reiterated restrictions on items that candidates may carry into examination rooms.
Mobile phones and calculators are prohibited in and around examination rooms, while candidates, supervisors and headteachers are expected to observe all examination regulations.
The restrictions are intended to protect the integrity of the examinations and prevent candidates from gaining unauthorised assistance.
Malpractice Rules Remain Strict
UNEB has warned candidates and examination officials against malpractice, which remains one of the major threats to the credibility of national examinations.
The board’s enforcement record shows that examination malpractice can result in criminal prosecution. In the Kassanda case involving the 2025 PLE, UNEB said examination materials were cut and distributed electronically before the authorised starting time, leading to prosecutions and convictions.
The board is therefore expected to maintain strict supervision during the 2026 examinations, with headteachers, supervisors and candidates required to follow the approved timetable and examination procedures.
For parents and candidates, the release provides a definitive schedule for the final revision period.
With the briefing set for October 30 and the first paper only four days later, schools now have a clear timetable to organise final preparations and ensure that candidates understand the reporting times, subjects and examination rules.
UNEB’s official channels remain the reference point for any subsequent clarification or changes, rather than schedules circulated through social media or other unofficial platforms.
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