A Senior Four candidate has given birth while sitting the ongoing Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations and subsequently completed her remaining papers, according to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).
UNEB principal spokesperson Jennifer Kalule Musamba told journalists that the incident occurred on October 13, a day after the national examinations began.
“The candidate from Light Secondary School, Soroti delivered a baby boy during the course of the English paper in the morning. She was quickly attended to by the school health team and was able to complete her paper,” Kalule said.
“She subsequently sat for all the other papers of the week. Both mother and baby are said to be in good health condition.”
Kalule said that although UNEB does not condone teenage pregnancy, the examinations body cannot prevent a duly registered candidate from sitting examinations if she is able to do so.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
“It is our duty to ensure that all duly registered candidates presented to us at the time of the examination sit their papers, as long as they are able to,” she said.
The spokesperson also reported several incidents involving alleged examination malpractice and misconduct during the first week of the UCE examinations.
In one incident, four people claiming to be Parish Internal Security Officers (PISOs) and District Internal Security Officers (DISOs) were reportedly found collecting information from Queen of Martyrs School under Kiira Police Storage Station. Kalule said the circumstances surrounding their activities were being investigated.
In a separate case, a candidate at Old Kampala Senior Secondary School was allegedly found with a mobile phone and reportedly photographed the Mathematics examination paper.
“The case was reported to police, and investigations are going on. The candidate continues to write their examination papers as guided by the rules and regulations, and the UNEB Act Cap 259,” Kalule said.
Kalule also reported the arrest of two people in Lira over alleged extortion involving primary school head teachers who had reportedly declared privately registered candidates as Universal Primary Education (UPE) candidates.
The suspects were identified as Tom Ronald Omara, the Lira City Inspector of Schools, and Ambrose Okot, also known as William Musinguzi. According to Kalule, the two appeared before a magistrate’s court, denied the charges and were remanded to Luzira Government Prison.
In another incident, the head teacher of Kazo Central Secondary School, Sumaiyah Nakkazi, was reportedly arrested by Lugoba Police Station in Kawempe Division, Kampala, over allegations that she prevented three candidates from sitting the English examination paper because of outstanding school fees.
UNEB warned candidates against indiscipline as the examination period continued, cautioning that violations could lead to disqualification, cancellation of results or arrest.
“A number of candidates will be completing their major papers this week. We however urge them to remain calm and follow school rules and regulations. Candidates are hereby cautioned that acts of indiscipline can lead to disqualification, cancellation of results or arrest of a candidate. Parents who have access to their children are advised to caution them accordingly. UNEB does not condone indiscipline in any way,” Kalule said.
The UCE examinations are continuing this week, with UNEB urging candidates to observe examination rules and regulations.
Also Read: NRM’s James Leku wins Adjumani West by-election