news 16 October 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Two remanded for alleged PLE registration scam
Two men, a businessman and a school inspector, have been remanded to Luzira Prison on charges of defrauding individuals by promising to facilitate Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) registration. The accused allegedly obtained millions of shillings through false pretences. Source: https://observer.ug/news/two-remanded-over-alleged-ple-registration-fraud
Ambrose Okot, 42, also known as William Musinguzi, and Tom Ronald Omara, 45, a Lira City school inspector, are facing multiple charges including conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretence. They appeared before City Hall senior magistrate Edgar Karakire and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The prosecution alleges that in June 2026, the duo conspired to defraud unsuspecting individuals. Specifically, Okot is accused of taking Shs 500,000 from Bob Sammy Okino under the guise of clearing him of issues related to alleged student number inflation at Lango College. He also allegedly obtained Shs 1.5 million from Moses Ayindi by promising to facilitate a relative’s transfer.
In a separate incident, Okot and Omara are accused of acquiring Shs 2 million from Leonard Omara in Lira City. This sum was allegedly taken with the false promise of registering private PLE candidates as UPE candidates at Olaka Child Care primary school. Okot faces an additional charge of personation, accused of posing as a legal officer from the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) to secure the funds.
State Attorney Benjamin Amanya requested an adjournment for ongoing investigations, including verifying bank and mobile money transactions. The defence lawyer sought time to consult with his clients. Magistrate Karakire remanded the accused to Luzira Prison until October 30, 2026.
This case follows another incident two weeks prior where six other suspects were remanded for alleged possession of fake PLE examination materials, highlighting concerns about examination integrity. The accused in that case were found with purported exam papers for Mathematics, Social Studies, Integrated Science, and English, offences that carry significant penalties.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)