education 30 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
TVET Supervisors Under Fire for Alleged Exam Malpractice
Heads of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Northern Uganda are raising alarms about unqualified supervisors allegedly facilitating exam cheating and academic fraud. They are urging the Uganda Vocational and Technical Examinations Board (UVTAB) to implement stricter vetting processes. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uvtab-supervisors-accused-of-aiding-tvet-exam-malpractice-5614606
Concerns are mounting within Uganda’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector regarding the integrity of examinations. Institutional leaders, speaking at a UVTAB sensitization workshop at Uganda Technical College Lira, have accused some examination supervisors of aiding and abetting malpractice.
Jacob Akunobere, Principal of UTC Lira, highlighted that area coordinators have reportedly been deploying supervisors who have not undergone proper vetting. He suggested that these supervisors are susceptible to bribery, with students pooling money to influence exam outcomes. Akunobere shared an anecdote where he encountered an individual in an exam room who was not a student but managed to evade accountability, suggesting a “conspiracy” at play.
He emphasized the need for UVTAB to vet and closely monitor supervisors, noting that the board sometimes recruits young university graduates seeking employment, who may lack the maturity and integrity required for such sensitive roles. Akunobere also pointed out that students with attendance below the required 75% should not be registered for exams, as they are often more prone to seeking shortcuts.
Chris Alele, Academic Registrar at UTC Lira, warned that unchecked malpractice not only damages the reputation of institutions but also leads to an influx of graduates who do not possess the claimed competencies. He likened the consequences of poor academic foundations to a building collapsing due to a weak structure.
David Odero, Academic Registrar of Fountainhead Institute Lira, called for the decentralization of hearings for students accused of malpractice. He cited the financial and logistical challenges institutions face when transporting students to the secretariat in Kampala for disciplinary proceedings, particularly for those from rural areas.
UVTAB officials acknowledged the seriousness of these allegations. Nichorus Muhangi, Legal Officer at UVTAB, stated that such malpractice contravenes the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Act, 2025, and undermines the credibility of qualifications, ultimately harming the nation. Senior Legal Officer Doreen Tusiime stressed UVTAB’s commitment to sensitizing the public and institutions to uphold the law and ensure fair assessments for the future of students and the country.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)