S4 candidates writing their examinations
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has called on Senior Four (S4) candidates to maintain discipline as the 2026 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations enter their final week, warning that violence, drug abuse and destruction of school property could attract serious consequences.
UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule-Musamba said some candidates tend to become unruly, rebellious and violent as they approach the end of their examinations, urging them to remain calm and respect examination officials, teachers and fellow students.
The warning comes as the examination body continues to manage the national examinations, which have seen candidates face different personal circumstances, including a Senior Four student at Erimu College in Soroti who gave birth during the examination period but returned to complete her remaining papers the following day.
The candidate reportedly delivered a baby boy at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital after sitting her Information and Communication Technology (ICT) paper last week.
Despite the physical demands of childbirth, she returned to her examination centre the next day and sat Christian Religious Education (CRE) and Agriculture, while the newborn remained under care at the hospital.
Kalule-Musamba confirmed the incident on Monday, October 26, 2026, describing how the student managed to balance her examination obligations with caring for her baby.
“She delivered from Soroti Regional Referral Hospital and the following day she had two papers, that is CRE and Agriculture and she was able to come back and sit both papers while the baby was being taken care of at the Hospital,” she said.
The UNEB spokesperson added that the candidate had to travel between the examination centre and the hospital to breastfeed her newborn.
“She would go back in between to breastfeed her baby and come back,” Kalule-Musamba said.
UNEB Warns Against Examination Misconduct
While commending the arrangements that enabled the registered candidate to complete her papers, UNEB maintained that candidates must observe discipline throughout the examination period and comply with established rules.
The board has warned against making unnecessary noise, disobeying invigilators and supervisors, fighting, insulting teachers or fellow candidates, abusing drugs and alcohol, and destroying school property.
Property at risk includes desks, chairs, windows, books and examination-related materials, which some students may be tempted to damage as they celebrate completing their papers.
Kalule-Musamba cautioned candidates against assuming that registration for national examinations gives them immunity from school regulations or disciplinary action.
Candidates who engage in misconduct remain subject to the rules of their respective schools, and UNEB has indicated that it will not intervene on behalf of students facing disciplinary action for violating those rules.
The board has also warned that examination-related offences could result in cancellation of results, disqualification or arrest, depending on the nature and severity of the misconduct.
The warning serves as a reminder that completing examinations successfully requires not only answering questions but also respecting the regulations governing candidates’ conduct.
Pregnancy Should Not Deny Candidates Opportunity
The Soroti incident has also highlighted UNEB’s position on candidates who become pregnant or give birth while undertaking national examinations.
Kalule-Musamba said the board does not condone teenage pregnancy but remains committed to ensuring that registered candidates are given an opportunity to complete their examinations, regardless of their circumstances.
“As a board, we do not condone teenage pregnancy. However, where a candidate has been duly registered, we provide them a conducive environment to write the papers regardless of their status,” she said.
UNEB maintains that pregnancy or motherhood should not automatically prevent a registered candidate from sitting examinations, provided the candidate is medically fit to do so.
The approach reflects the board’s responsibility to administer examinations fairly while accommodating candidates whose circumstances may require special consideration.
In the Soroti case, the student’s return to the examination centre the day after giving birth demonstrated the arrangements made to enable her to complete the remaining papers while her baby received care at the hospital.
However, the board’s support for eligible candidates does not exempt them from the general requirements governing examination conduct.
More Than 500,000 Candidates Sit UCE
A total of 503,214 candidates registered for the 2026 UCE examinations across the country. Of these, 264,788 are female candidates, while 238,426 are male candidates.
This year’s examinations mark the third group of learners to be assessed under Uganda’s competency-based lower secondary school curriculum, which places emphasis on the application of knowledge and skills.
As the examinations approach completion, UNEB is urging candidates to avoid behaviour that could jeopardise their results or undermine the efforts of their schools and families.
The board’s warning comes at a critical stage when some learners may become less attentive to school regulations after completing most of their papers.
Candidates have therefore been urged to remain disciplined until they finish their final examinations, respect invigilators and school authorities, and refrain from violence, substance abuse and vandalism.
UNEB’s message is that while candidates deserve an opportunity to complete their examinations despite personal challenges, they must also take responsibility for their conduct.
With thousands of learners completing this important stage of their education, the board has emphasised the need for a peaceful examination environment that protects candidates, school property and the integrity of the national assessment process.
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