Candidates are expected to begin with the mathematics test this morning and social studies and religious education in the afternoon.

A total of 798,763 candidates are expected to sit for their Primary School Leaving Examinations (PLE) across the country today.

Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) spokesperson Ms Jenifer Kalule said the candidates were first informed on Monday by their respective principals and invigilators.

Ms Kalule said candidates are expected to take the mathematics test this morning and social studies and religious education on the afternoon of November 6. They will finish their tests tomorrow, November 7, with integrated sciences in the morning and English in the afternoon. Of the 798,763 candidates, 419,357 are women and 379,414 are men.

A total of 3,295 applicants (1,677 females and 1,618 males) fall into the special needs category.

“They will benefit from an additional 45 minutes in accordance with Uneb regulations. They will also receive the necessary support based on their specific needs. Braille answer sheets have been made available for the blind, large print question sheets for the visually impaired,” Ms Kalule said.

People with hearing impairments will be provided with sign language interpreters, while those with dyslexia/reading and writing issues will benefit from transcribers.

Schools yesterday expressed their willingness to organize the exams. Mr Emmanuel Were, principal of Kings Primary School, Lubowa, said their candidates were well prepared to take the final examinations after the briefing.

“I did the briefing with my team and I have since finished setting up the rooms where the candidates will sit. Uneb has also since provided us with the required documents, including attendance sheets and albums. The learners are ready and relaxed, just waiting for the day,” Mr. Were said on November 5.

UNEB Executive Director Daniel Odongo said yesterday that all examination materials had been distributed across the country.

He warned school heads, parents and teachers against examination malpractices, saying the results of those involved would be cancelled.

Ms Kalule said Uneb has partnered with various security agencies to oversee the conduct of the PLE exams.

“We have deployed more than 13,000 scouts and almost 600 security personnel, including undercover agents. These will oversee the safe conduct of exams across the country,” she said.

“The public is hereby warned against fraudsters who attempt to deceive unsuspecting members of the public. Specifically, the public is warned against the unauthorized possession of any material, content or information purporting to be an Uneb examination paper,” she added.

Anyone found with such content, whether it is the correct newspaper or not, commits an offense under Articles 24 and 25 of the Uneb Law, CAP 259.

According to the law, such a person is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand currency points (20 million shillings) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both. .