By KT Reporter
Flooded roads, delayed deliveries, and morning downpours disrupted the opening day of the 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations across several regions of Uganda.
A heavy downpour that began before midnight and continued until around 7:00 a.m. disrupted transport and access to examination centres across the West Nile region. Flooded roads in the greater Arua area, including Maracha, Terego, Nebbi, Zombo, Madi Okollo, and Pakwach districts, left many routes impassable.
At Arua Public Secondary School and Arua Secondary School, some candidates braved the rain on foot, while others hired special vehicles and motorcycles to reach their centres. School officials confirmed that the delivery of examination papers was delayed due to flooded and slippery roads slowed down the movement of UNEB distribution vehicles and motorcycles.
In Fort Portal City, distribution started at 8:40 a.m. Area supervisor Trophy Atuhairwe said that 1,394 students from 23 centres had successfully begun the exams despite the late start. He noted that heightened security measures were in place following the Rwenzori attacks on November 1.
“Police and military police are on standby to ensure exams proceed without incident. Headteachers have been encouraged to report any challenges and work closely with UNEB officials and scouts,” Atuhairwe said. Rev. Richardson Balinda, the headteacher of Nyakasura School, said the school had sensitised students to remain vigilant and strengthen internal security.
“We are also in touch with the UPDF, which deploys at the school in the evening to ensure safety,” he added. In Luwero District, morning rains caused only minor delays.
By 8:00 a.m., headteachers and supervisors had reached storage stations at Wobulenzi, Zirobwe, Bombo, and Luwero police stations, and distribution began shortly after.
Daniel Kyaterekera, the Director of Hermitage Vocational and Secondary Schools, said his school managed to deliver candidates to their designated sitting centre in time despite the wet conditions.
In Nansana, papers were released to centre heads at 8:45 a.m., even though officials had arrived at the distribution point an hour earlier. The delay, according to UNEB officials, was due to paperwork that had to be completed before release.
“The first day usually comes with such delays, but things will be smoother in the afternoon and subsequent days,” one official noted. Unlike the recently concluded Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), which attracted heavy supervision and public attention, the start of the UACE exams was relatively calm, with fewer officials seen at distribution points.
In Kabale District, distribution started at 8:30 a.m. Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson Elly Maate confirmed that the exercise was successful across all six districts: Kabale, Rubanda, Kisoro, Kanungu, Rukungiri, and Rukiga. He said security remained on high alert to prevent examination malpractice or related offences.
Medard Turamyomwe Ssalongo, the Headteacher of Nyamweru Secondary School in Rubanda District, said all 23 registered students were present and ready to sit for the exams.
Patrick Tumwesigye, the Deputy Headteacher of St. Agatha Girls’ School, Kakore, reported that all 63 candidates were in attendance and that adequate preparations had been made to ensure a smooth examination process.
In Hoima City, distribution began at 8:30 a.m. from the Hoima City Police Barracks under tight security. Senkomi Sekomeya, the UNEB Supervisor for Hoima City, said 2024 candidates had been registered to sit for the exams across 28 centres. He urged students to strictly follow UNEB guidelines and confirmed that no irregularities had been reported.
Johnson Kusiima Baingana, the Hoima City Principal Education Officer, warned UNEB managers, school heads, and candidates against engaging in any form of examination malpractice.
At Bwikya Secondary School, Headteacher Abdallah Mbuga said 113 candidates were prepared and ready to write their first papers. In Masaka, the start of the examinations was smooth, with no incidents reported.
Greater Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson Twaha Kasirye said police were on standby to respond to any emergencies. Kalungu District Senior Education Inspector Mpaka Mbaaga said all centres began on time, aided by favourable weather conditions.
“Headteachers who recently managed the Senior Four exams have used that experience to plan better and handle challenges like morning rains,” he explained. He urged parents and school administrators to continue supporting candidates throughout the examination period.
A total of 166,402 candidates have registered for the 2025 UACE examinations, up from 141,996 last year, across 2,844 centres nationwide. Of these, 93,630 are male and 77,772 female, with about a quarter under government sponsorship and the rest privately sponsored. The examinations will run from November 10 to December 5.
According to the UNEB timetable, candidates sitting Arts subjects wrote History Paper 6 (History of Africa, 1855-1914) or Paper 5 (Theory of Government and Constitutional Development) in the morning, while Science students sat for Physics Paper One.
In the afternoon, Arts students will write Literature in English Paper One (Prose and Poetry) or Fasihi ya Kiswahili (Nathari na Ushairi), while Science candidates will take Physics Paper Two.
UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo cautioned invigilators and scouts against aiding or abetting malpractice, warning that those found guilty will face prosecution. “Those who negligently allow malpractice to occur under their watch will be dealt with under Section 26(1)(g) of the UNEB Act, which provides for a maximum imprisonment term of five years upon conviction,” Odongo said.
He added that UNEB is working closely with security agencies to ensure all examination centres remain safe and free from interference. The board also appealed to the public to report any suspected malpractice, assuring whistleblowers of protection under UNEB’s whistleblower policy.
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