UNEB WARNS SCHOOLS AGAINST DENYING CANDIDATES EXAMS OVER UNPAID FEES
URN
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has warned school administrators against denying registered candidates access to examination papers or examination rooms over unpaid school fees, describing the practice as criminal.
The warning comes as more than 503,000 Senior Four candidates begin their written Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations today, October 12, 2026, with Mathematics Paper 1 scheduled for the morning session.
UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule Musamba said schools must allow all registered candidates to sit their examinations regardless of outstanding school fees.
“We request head teachers not to block or remove candidates from examination rooms due to fee balances. Denying them papers or access in this way is criminal and will not be tolerated,” Kalule Musamba said.
She advised schools to resolve fee disputes directly with parents and guardians without disrupting candidates’ examinations. Where fees remain outstanding, schools should allow the affected candidates to sit their papers and formally notify UNEB so that the results or certificates can be withheld until the fees are cleared, in accordance with the applicable procedures.
“The Board will work with schools to put in place measures to assist them recover their fees at the time of release of results,” she added. UNEB officials have also confirmed that examination materials have been delivered to distribution centres across the country.
The warning comes amid renewed concerns over candidates being blocked from sitting national examinations because of school fees arrears, an issue UNEB has repeatedly addressed in previous examination cycles. In 2024, a head teacher in Terego District was reportedly fined Shs3 million by a joint committee and ordered to cover costs for four candidates who had been blocked from sitting their UCE examinations on the first day. Similar incidents have been reported elsewhere, including Mbale, where some candidates sought police intervention after being denied access to examinations.
The Ministry of Education and Sports has consistently emphasised the need to protect candidates’ right to sit their end-of-cycle examinations. Schools are expected to allow registered candidates to write their papers and pursue outstanding fees through the appropriate administrative channels.
Meanwhile, parents and guardians have been urged to engage school administrators early to agree on payment arrangements. Candidates have also been encouraged to remain focused, follow examination regulations and avoid malpractice, which can result in the cancellation of their results.
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