A total of 66 pupils of Kiira Primary School in Jinja City would have to repeat Primary Seven this year following the cancellation of their Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results.
The Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) annulled the results citing unusually high and uniform performance in the Mathematics paper.
The government-aided school had initially emerged as the city’s best-performing centre, with all 67 candidates reportedly obtaining Division One. Only one pupil’s results were upheld.
Parents and pupils gathered in the school hall, many breaking down in tears as they learned the decision would stand despite efforts by local education authorities to have it reconsidered.
“As the people in the city education department, we have done whatever it takes, but our only route now is for the pupils to repeat Primary Seven,” Jinja City Education Officer Paul Baliraine told parents and pupils.
Mr Baliraine explained that an unusual number of candidates scored exceptionally high marks in Mathematics, with several obtaining 80 marks and above.
He asked sampled students to publicly state their scores, noting none scored below 50 marks. He said the pattern raised concerns about the credibility of the results.
“We know our children are bright. What happened hurts us all, but we should not remain stuck on one issue. We have to accept what has happened and move on,” he said.
However, parents expressed frustration that learners would bear the consequences of alleged institutional mistakes.
“As parents we played our role. We should not be punished again for something we did not cause,” said Maimuna Namwanga, a parent from Budondo.
Hadijja Nalugoda, a resident of Ambercourt, urged Uneb to consider reviewing only the questionable papers rather than cancelling an entire year.
“Our children have grown. Mine is a girl, and you know the challenges girls face as they grow older. I wanted her to finish school quickly, but now look at what has happened,” she lamented while in an interview with this publication .
Tonny Amooti, a resident of Kayitabawala, warned that the decision could have serious psychological effects.
“This situation can push children into depression or even worse. It has shocked us as parents,” he said.
Headteacher Rose Nakisige said the meeting was called to discuss next steps.
“We organised this meeting to engage our parents and pupils and counsel them to remain firm and move forward because they still have a future,” she said, adding that the school will follow guidance from supervisors and the Jinja City education office.
Officials said that Jinja City registered 6,049 candidates for the 2025 PLE. Of these, 816 scored Division One, 3,269 Division Two, 929 Division Three, 535 Division Four, 434 were ungraded, and 67 were absent.