Three Arrested for Attempting to Bribe UNEB Official During PLE
LIRA, UGANDA – The Territorial Police in the North Kyoga Region have arrested three individuals, including a school director, for allegedly attempting to bribe a Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) scout to influence the ongoing Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
The arrest took place on Sunday, November 2nd, at Garden Hotel in Lira City, following a swift police operation based on a tip-off.
The suspects have been identified as:
· Odongo George, the Director of Atura Community Day Primary School.
· Ekut Simon, 32, a former teacher at the same school.
· Awoko Lavoiser, 26, a teacher at St. Gracious Primary School in Barapwo, Lira City West Division.
According to police reports, the trio approached a UNEB scout who was assigned to supervise the PLE in the neighbouring Oyam District. They allegedly offered the scout a bribe of One Million Uganda Shillings (UGX 1,000,000) in an attempt to compromise the integrity of the national examinations.
Police officers, acting on the information, intercepted the meeting at the hotel and arrested the suspects. The cash intended for the bribe was recovered and has been exhibited as evidence.
“The act was intended to compromise the integrity of the national examinations,” a police statement read.
The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue. They are set to be arraigned before court and will face charges under Section 26 (1) g of the UNEB Act, CAP 259. This section provides for a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, a fine of twenty million shillings, or both upon conviction.
In response to the incident, the UNEB Executive Director, Mr. Dan Odongo, issued a stern warning to the public and all individuals involved in the examination process.
Mr. Odongo cautioned them to “desist from indulging in acts of aiding and abetting malpractice.” He emphasized that UNEB is working closely with the Police and other security agencies, who “will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone attempting to compromise the credibility of national examinations regardless of their status.”
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities to curb examination malpractice and maintain the credibility of national assessments in Uganda.
About The Author
