By KT Reporter
Gulu City has emerged as a shining example in Uganda’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, registering zero cases of examination malpractice in the inaugural assessments conducted by the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB).
The first phase of these assessments — covering both informal and formal training programmes — began on May 2, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of a standardized national framework for vocational skills evaluation.
According to UVTAB, a total of 53,770 candidates have been registered for the May/June 2025 assessment cycle, spread across 478 accredited centers countrywide. Formerly the Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board (UBTEB), UVTAB was established by the TVET Act No.3 of 2025 which merged Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), and UBTEB.
Florence Oyella Olango, the Assessment Area Coordinator for Station 40 in Gulu city told Uganda Radio Network Wednesday that since the exams started on May 2, none of the scouts have reported no incidence of malpractice. Olango noted that all eight accredited centers within Gulu city are under strict supervision by scouts to ensure examinations are conducted smoothly without any incidence.
During a briefing with over a dozen heads of assessment centers and center supervisors at Nsamizi Training Center Gulu, Olango stressed the need for the supervisors to adhere to strict checks so that no student enters examination rooms with materials that can aid malpractice. She particularly pointed out that the supervisors must watch out on smart phones, smart watches, pieces of papers, pens, and large earrings.
Early this month, UVTAB warned students against engaging in examination malpractice and urged assessment center heads to coordinate with UVTAB field monitors to avoid such vice which attracts penalties on students.
Narasi Kambaho, the Principal Communications and Public Relations Officer at UVTAB emphasized that the supervisors must thoroughly check students accessing examination rooms to ensure they are not carrying illegal materials to cheat exams. He said those who will allow students inside with phones will get penalized while the students may risk losing out on examinations for the semester.
Kambaho also told the heads of assessment centers to comply with UVTAB directives on ensuring all exam rooms have notices indicating exams are ongoing, have a wall clock, and cordon off examination areas from the public or other learners.
During his monitoring at Daniel Comboni Technical College, where the first phase of assessments was ongoing, Kambaho lauded the leadership at the college for complying to UVTAB standards and regulations.
Christopher Kony, the Academic Registrar of Daniel Comboni Technical Institute, where some 52 candidates registered for the May/June assessments, said the first phase of the assessment commenced well, citing no major challenges registered. He said all the candidates were briefed and prepared to follow the rules and regulations for the examination, adding that they have also complied with all UVTAB standards.
The second phase of the TVET assessments will kick off on Friday with a briefing of candidates. The assessments are expected to go on until June 5th. Instances of examination malpractices have been prevalent in other educational sectors over the years. For instance, in April 2023, UBTEB announced that the results of 94 candidates who sat in 2022 were cancelled for alleged involvement in examination malpractices. Meanwhile, during the release of the 2024 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results, UNEB announced that results for 38 examination centers across the country were withheld over malpractice cases-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
