FORT PORTAL: The 2026 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations have started, with school administrators in Fort Portal urging candidates to observe examination rules, prepare adequately and avoid all forms of examination malpractice.
At Mpanga Senior Secondary School, Headteacher Charles Drake Rubongoya urged candidates to write their names clearly and neatly on their examination scripts, reminding them that their written work is what represents them before the examiner.
Rubongoya also encouraged candidates to carefully read, understand and interpret examination questions before attempting to answer them.
He asked learners to carry all the necessary examination materials, including pens and mathematical sets, while warning them against carrying money into the examination room.
The headteacher further urged candidates to remain smart, disciplined and focused throughout the examination period and strongly discouraged any form of examination malpractice.
Mpanga Senior Secondary School has registered 704 candidates in two examination centres—Mpanga SS and Mpanga SS Annex. Of these, 366 are boys and 338 are girls.
Rubongoya says the number has increased from 570 candidates registered last year, attributing the growth to the school’s increasing enrolment and improved preparation.
He says the school has equipped learners with the necessary materials to support them in achieving good results.
Rubongoya has also appealed to parents and guardians to support their children throughout the examination period by providing meals, essential examination materials and encouragement.
He says the school identified six candidates who could not afford calculators, but the administration has committed to providing the calculators to ensure that no learner is disadvantaged.
Meanwhile, at Kamengo Senior Secondary School, the Director of Studies, Mbabazi Jotham, says normal lessons for lower classes will continue on an alternating basis during the examination period.
He says Senior One students will attend lessons on Mondays, while Senior Two students will study on Tuesdays. Mbabazi says Senior One is the class most affected by the arrangement.
Kamengo Senior Secondary School has registered 190 candidates for this year’s UCE examinations, a figure Mbabazi says is higher than in previous years.
According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), the UCE examinations started on Thursday, October 8, 2026, and will run until November 3, 2026.
A total of 432,165 candidates have registered for the examinations across the country.
School authorities are now calling on candidates, parents and teachers to work together to ensure that learners remain focused, disciplined and adequately supported throughout the examination period.
