Police have arrested three suspects for attempting to bribe a Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) scout in a bid to influence the conduct of the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
The suspects have been identified as Odongo George, Director of Atura Community Day Primary School; Ekut Simon (32), a former teacher at the same school; and Awoko Lavoiser (26), a teacher at St. Gracious Primary School, Barapwo, in Lira City West Division.
According to police, the trio allegedly attempted to bribe a UNEB scout from Lira who had been assigned to supervise PLE activities in Oyam District. They reportedly offered him a bribe of Shs 1 million to influence examination processes.
The act was intended to compromise the integrity of the national examinations, which commence today.
Police, acting on a tip-off, swiftly arrested the suspects at Garden Hotel in Lira City and recovered the bribe money, which has been entered into evidence.
Investigations are underway, and the suspects will soon be arraigned in court. They are to be charged under Section 26(1)(g) of the UNEB Act, Cap 259, which provides for a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of Shs 20 million, or both upon conviction.
In a statement, UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo cautioned the public and all persons involved in the administration and supervision of PLE against engaging in any form of examination malpractice.
“UNEB is working closely with 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,” Odongo warned.
