UNEB releases 2026 timetable as exams kick off in October

Uganda’s 2026 national examinations will kick off on  October 8 , with the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) briefing Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) candidates ahead of the examination season.

according to Daniel Odong, the Executive Director of UEB, the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) candidate briefing will follow on  October 30 , while the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examination cycle will begin with candidate briefing on  November 6 .

UNEB has registered  1,627,885 candidates for the three national examinations, an increase of  211,437 candidates , or 14.9 per cent, from the 1,416,448 candidates registered in 2025.

The Board said the increase could be attributed to higher completion rates, with more learners remaining in school and progressing to the next level.

PLE candidature has increased from  818,885 in 2025 to 920,796 , representing a 12.4 per cent increase.

At UCE level, candidature has risen by 16.4 per cent, from  432,163 to 503,214 , while UACE candidature has recorded the highest increase, rising by 22.5 per cent from  166,400 to 203,875 . UNEB also noted an especially sharp increase in candidature for traditional science subjects at UACE level.

Of the total candidature,  52 per cent are female and 48 per cent male , while 52 per cent are sponsored by the Government under the Universal Education programmes. A total of  6,090 Special Needs Education (SNE) learners have also been registered.

 CBC assessment

The 2026 UCE candidates will be the third cohort to be assessed under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) at lower secondary level.

The UACE candidates were among the pioneer cohorts to undertake CBC at lower secondary and will be assessed under a curriculum and assessment system aligned with the new approach.

UNEB has set this year’s examination theme as  “Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through Secure, Credible, Inclusive and Innovative Processes.”

The Board said the theme reflects its emphasis on examination security and credibility, while ensuring that learners with special needs receive appropriate accommodations.

 UNEB warns schools over SNE candidates

UNEB has warned head teachers against falsely declaring learners as Special Needs Education candidates or misrepresenting their disabilities to obtain additional examination time or other assistance.

The Board said some head teachers, particularly at primary level, have been reporting non-existent SNE cases or misrepresenting disabilities such as dyslexia and low vision.

“All these are meant to give such candidates extra time and possibly a transcriber. This gives the candidate an unfair advantage over the others,” UNEB said.

The Board also raised concern over the misuse of sign language interpreters, saying some interpreters have been asked to explain or interpret examination questions for candidates.

UNEB said the practice was contributing to an increase in the number of SNE candidates and the personnel required to support them during examinations.

“We therefore caution Heads of Centres to desist from this habit,” Odong  said.

Schools face scrutiny

UNEB has also raised concern about schools and examination centres that registered candidates in 2025 but have not registered any candidates this year.

The Board said it was conducting a final verification exercise and would publish a list of the affected schools in the print and electronic media by  September 30  for parents and guardians to check.

Schools have until October 7  to display candidates’ registers, as required under the UNEB Act, to allow learners to verify their registration details.

Candidates have been advised to check the spelling and order of their names, date of birth, gender, photograph and, for UCE and UACE candidates, the subjects and papers for which they are registered. Candidates must sign a parallel register after confirming that their details are correct.

UNEB said candidates who identify errors should immediately notify their school authorities so that corrections can be made.

Candidates who paid registration fees within the stipulated deadlines but were not registered have also been advised to report the matter to UNEB through their schools, with proof of payment.

Candidates warned against indiscipline

UNEB has also cautioned candidates against indiscipline during the examination period.

The Board said candidates remain subject to school rules and regulations and warned that it would not support learners suspended or dismissed for disciplinary offences.

Parents have been urged to provide guidance to their children to avoid disciplinary problems during the examination period.

Schools can access the examination timetables through their portals, while hard copies have been supplied alongside other examination stationery.

UNEB said sufficient copies had been printed for UCE and UACE candidates and urged schools to ensure each candidate receives a copy.

The timetables will also be displayed on school noticeboards and published on UNEB’s website and social media platforms.

Braille versions of the UCE and UACE timetables have been provided for visually impaired SNE candidates.

The post UNEB releases 2026 timetable as exams kick off in October appeared first on Daily Star.