Ministry directs local government leaders to prevent malpractice in 2026 PLE
Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya instructs CAOs, city and municipal town clerks to coordinate examination management and ensure officers involved in malpractice face action under the law.
By Brian Mugenyi
In a bid to ensure free and fair exams in primary leaving Examination under the guidance of Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Local Government has directed Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), city town clerks and municipal town clerks to put in place measures to prevent examination malpractice during the 2026 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
In a directive letter dated October 30, 2026, Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya instructed the local government accounting officers to coordinate and direct the administration and management of the examinations within their respective areas of jurisdiction.
The 2026 PLE examinations are scheduled to take place in the first week of November, according to the Ministry.
Kumumanya said the preventive measures are necessary to safeguard the integrity and credibility of national examinations.
“Accordingly, you need to undertake Preventive Measures to Safeguard the Integrity and Credibility of the National Examinations,” he stated in the communication addressed to all CAOs, city town clerks and municipal town clerks.
He further instructed the officials to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to prevent examination malpractice in their respective jurisdictions.
The directive places local government leaders at the centre of coordinating examination administration and management within their areas of responsibility as the country prepares for the national assessment of Primary Seven candidates.
Kumumanya also warned that officers found involved in examination malpractice should face action in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
“You are further reminded that any cases of Examination Malpractice established against the Officers involved in the exercise should be handled in accordance with the Applicable Laws and Regulations as stipulated,” he wrote.
The Permanent Secretary also drew the officials’ attention to Circular No. 1/2026, dated February 11, 2026, concerning disciplinary action against head teachers, teachers and school directors who were involved in examination malpractice and poor performance in the 2025 PLE.
The circular provides an earlier administrative reference on disciplinary action involving education officers and school administrators implicated in examination malpractice and poor performance.
The Ministry’s latest communication is intended to ensure that local government authorities take responsibility for coordinating and managing the examinations and act against officers found violating the applicable regulations.
Kumumanya said the purpose of the communication was to forward the instructions for further action and management accordingly.
The letter was copied to the Minister of Local Government, Minister of State for Local Government, Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports.
The directive comes ahead of the 2026 PLE examinations, which are due in the first week of Novembe
MINISTRY or LOCAL GOVERNMENT p. O. BOX 7037 KAMPALA UGANDA IN CA” ON 30′” October 2026 All Chief Administrative Officers All City Town Clerks All Municipal Town Clerks PREVENTION OF EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE IN THE 2026 PRIMARY LEAVING EXAMINATIONS (PLE) Reference is made to the above subject, As you are aware, Primary Leaving Examinations (PIE) 2026 is scheduled to take place in the First Week of November, 2026. Accordingly, you need to undertake Preventive Measures to Safe guard the Integrity and Credibility of the National Examinations. In line with the above, this is to instruct you to coordinate and direct the Administration and Management of the Primary Leaving Examinations within your Areas of Jurisdiction and ensure that Appropriate Measures are put in place to prevent Examination Malpractice. You are further reminded that any cases of Examination Malpractice established against the Officers involved in the exercise should be handled in accordance with the Applicable Laws and Regulations as stipulated. I wish to also draw your attention to Circular NO.l/2026 dated 11th February, 2026 regarding Disciplinary Action against Primary Head Teachers, Teachers and School Directors who were involved in Examination Malpractice and Poor Performance in the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PIE) The purpose Of this comrnunlcation Is to forward to you the above Instruction for your action and management accordingly. Ben Kunwrnanya PERMANENT SECRETARY Cc: Hon Minister Of Local Government Hon Minister Of State for Local Government Head of Pubic Service and Secretary to Cabinet The Permanent Secretary, Ministry Of Education and Sports
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