Three Arrested in Lira for Attempted Bribery of UNEB Scout Ahead of PLE

By Kyeyune Ali

Police in Lira have arrested three people for allegedly attempting to bribe a Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) scout in a bid to influence the conduct of the forthcoming Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).

The suspects have been identified as Odongo George, the Director of Atura Community Day Primary School; Ekut Simon, a 32-year-old former teacher at the same school; and Awoko Lavoiser, aged 26, a teacher at St. Gracious Primary School in Barapwo, Lira City West Division.

According to the Territorial Police in the North Kyoga Region, the trio approached a UNEB scout from Lira, who had been assigned to supervise the PLE in Oyam District, and allegedly offered him a bribe of UGX 1 million in an attempt to compromise examination integrity.

Police said the suspects were arrested at Garden Hotel in Lira City after officers acted on a tip-off. The money, believed to be the bribe, was recovered and has been exhibited as evidence.

“The suspects are in custody, and investigations are ongoing. They will be arraigned in court and charged under Section 26 (1)(g) of the UNEB Act, Cap 259,” police said in a statement. The law provides for a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a fine of UGX 20 million, or both upon conviction.

In response to the incident, UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo warned members of the public and all personnel involved in examination supervision to desist from acts that undermine the integrity of national assessments.

“UNEB, working closely with Police and other security agencies, will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone attempting to compromise the credibility of national examinations, regardless of their status,” Odongo cautioned.

The Primary Leaving Examinations are scheduled to begin tomorrow across the country, with UNEB reiterating its commitment to ensuring transparency and fairness in the exercise.