By Diana .N.Kintu
Police in the North Kyoga Region have arrested three individuals in Lira City over an alleged attempt to bribe an official from the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), just days before the start of the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE). The suspects are accused of trying to compromise the integrity of the national exams by offering a cash bribe to a UNEB scout.
According to police reports, the suspects — identified as Odongo George, Director of Atura Community Day Primary School; Ekut Simon, a 32-year-old former teacher at the same institution; and Awoko Lavoiser, a 26-year-old teacher at St. Gracious Primary School in Barapwo, Lira City West Division — were apprehended after allegedly attempting to bribe a UNEB scout assigned to Oyam District.
Authorities said the trio approached the scout and offered a bribe of UGX 1 million with the intention of influencing him to turn a blind eye to possible malpractice during the administration of the PLE. Acting on intelligence, police intercepted the suspects at Garden Hotel in Lira City, where the cash believed to be intended for the bribe was recovered and retained as evidence.
The Regional Police Spokesperson for North Kyoga, Superintendent Patrick Jimmy Okema, confirmed the arrests, noting that the suspects are in custody as investigations continue. He emphasised that such acts threaten the credibility of Uganda’s education system and that law enforcement will not hesitate to act against anyone attempting to subvert the examination process.
“The integrity of our national examinations is paramount. We want to send a strong message that anyone involved in exam malpractice or bribery will face serious legal consequences,” Okema stated.
Legal proceedings have been initiated, and the suspects are expected to be charged under Section 26(1) (g) of the UNEB Act, Cap 259, which criminalises any attempt to improperly influence examination officials. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a fine of up to UGX 20 million, imprisonment for five years, or both.
In a related statement, UNEB Executive Director Mr. Dan Odongo condemned the attempted bribery and warned all school administrators, teachers, and candidates against engaging in acts that could undermine the credibility of national exams.
“The Board has put in place strict measures, including close coordination with the Uganda Police Force and other security agencies, to ensure that examinations are conducted smoothly and fairly. Anyone found aiding or abetting malpractice will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Mr. Odongo cautioned.
The 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations are scheduled to commence this week, with more than 817,000 candidates sitting across the country. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the examinations proceed without disruption and that Uganda’s education standards remain credible and respected.