More than 166,000 Senior Six candidates across the country have today commenced their Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations, a milestone that determines access to higher education, scholarships and future career pathways.
According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), a total of 166,402 candidates is sitting this year’s exams at 2,844 examination centres nationwide, a noticeable increase from last year’s candidature, reflecting sustained demand for post-secondary education.
Education authorities, invigilators and security personnel have intensified vigilance to safeguard exam credibility. UNEB has restated zero tolerance for all forms of malpractice, including impersonation, smuggling of unauthorised materials and external assistance.
In Kagadi District, local education officials issued a strong warning to schools, candidates and supervisors against actions that compromise exam standards, cautioning that violations could lead to arrests, withheld results or cancellation of entire examination centres.
“Success earned through integrity carries greater value than grades earned through shortcuts,” a district official reminded candidates during pre-exam briefings.
The UACE marks the final gateway to university admissions, national scholarships, teaching colleges and technical institutes. For thousands of households — particularly those in rural communities strong UACE results represent a pathway to breaking economic barriers and unlocking new opportunities.
Education stakeholders have urged parents and guardians to provide emotional support throughout the examination period, noting that stability at home plays a key role in student performance.
The exam cycle will run for several weeks, with UNEB coordinating secure distribution of materials, monitoring of exam centres and collection of answer scripts to ensure fairness and professionalism throughout the process.
As the final papers roll out in the coming days, the national spotlight remains firmly fixed on classrooms where behind every answer script lies a dream waiting to be scored.