Police deploys Overt, Covert officers to oversee conduct of Primary Leaving Examination, PLE starting today

The Uganda Police Force has revealed that the policing of the Uganda Certificate of Education, UCE examination was very successful and only a few cases of malpractice were recorded.

While addressing a joint press conference of security agencies and UNEB officials, CP Fred Enanga the police spokesperson said that malpractice was mostly in cases where some lab assistants tried to give unfair advantage during the conduct of practical exams, but that things were different during theory.

“During theories, we didn’t register many cases. As we talk now, we have 8 incidents of concern that our investigators are looking at. So, out of 14,000 centres, when you are focusing on 6 to 7 incidents that shows massive success and very good preparation levels” Enanga noted.

He applauded UNEB and all stakeholders who were involved in the entire process.

As Primary Living Examination, PLE kicks off today Tuesday, Enanga says they know it is the most competitive area of examination and that security is keenly monitoring all centres to counter all forms of malpractice.

“We have drawn manpower from 1,600 police stations, these are monitoring and policing the conduct of examinations in 14,000 centres where we expect examinations to take place. We know that at some of these centres there is a possibility of malpractice, and we are also looking at candidate malpractice. We want to caution all stakeholders; teachers, candidates, examination officers and invigilators, scouts and security officers against interfering with the conduct, administration, transportation and storage of the examinations” Enanga warned.

He noted this is to protect the integrity of the PLE so that it does not give rise to prejudice to candidates.

The UCE incidents that were registered included; An incident in Kyanjojo where during practical, police arrested one Arinaitwe Chris who was trying to alter the practical for candidates in one of the schools that Enanga did not mention since investigations are still ongoing.

Another incident was in Mayuge, where police arrested a one Nampijja Christine who had refused to handover keys to the examination store room. Nampijja had misplaced the keys. She was arrested and charged for neglect of duty.

The police are also actively pursuing two suspects, Opio Peter and Opio Bilal who were suspected to be vending fake exams in Kitintale Kampala. “We are tracking them and we believe that anytime, our intelligence officers will lead us to the arrest of the duo.”

In Zombo, police arrested a teacher called Opoyoru Joel along with two lab assistants identified as Omei Edward and Ayiko Francis who smuggled their phones into the practical room during the Chemistry practical. The trio was arrested and their phones confiscated.

Another teacher called Okullo Martin was also arrested in Mayuge district for entering the examination room with unauthorized material (mobile phone).

He warned that during the policing of PLE which begins this morning, they have a very robust team both overt and covert to ensure there are no disruptions.

‘We have asked commanders to patrol all centres to make patrol routes along school centres where examinations are taking place so that candidates are not disrupted” Enanga said.

A total of 749,811 candidates are expected to write their examinations at 14,300 centres across the country today Tuesday and tomorrow Wednesday.