KAMPALA — The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the 2026 examination timetable, with 1,627,885 candidates registered for the three national examination series amid a continued emphasis on secure, credible and inclusive assessment.
The examinations will be conducted under the theme “Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through Secure, Credible, Inclusive and Innovative Processes.”
According to UNEB Executive Director Dan Nokrach Odongo, the theme reflects the Board’s commitment to strengthening the integrity of assessment while ensuring that candidates with Special Education Needs receive appropriate examination accommodations.
The Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations will begin with candidate briefing on October 8 and conclude on November 3, 2026.
The Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) briefing will be held on October 30, with the examination series ending on November 4, while UACE briefing will take place on November 7, with examinations running until December 5.
UNEB has also reminded schools that the display of candidates’ registers will continue until October 7.
The registers are intended to allow candidates to verify their registration details, including names, date of birth, gender, photographs and, for UCE and UACE candidates, registered subjects and papers.
“The purpose of the display is to enable candidates to confirm their registration status as well as the correctness of their biodata,” Odongo said.
He urged candidates to sign the parallel register after verification and advised schools to immediately report any anomalies to UNEB for correction.
The provisional candidature represents a 14.9 percent increase from 1,416,448 candidates in 2025. PLE has 920,796 candidates, UCE 503,214, while UACE has 203,875.
Females constitute 52 percent of the total candidature, compared with 48 percent males, while 6,090 candidates are registered as Special Needs Education learners.
UNEB has meanwhile issued a strong warning against scammers selling purported examination papers.
“Scammers, purporting to have access to UNEB papers, will start to vend fake papers to scam gullible members of the public,” Odongo warned, urging parents, teachers and candidates not to fall victim.
Candidates have also been cautioned against indiscipline during the examination period.
“Being a candidate does not put you over and above the school rules and regulations,” Odongo said, stressing that UNEB would not support candidates suspended or dismissed for misconduct.
The Board has urged candidates to maintain discipline, while parents and guardians have been asked to provide appropriate guidance throughout the examination period.
