UCE: UNEB extends History exam time by 15 minutes

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has extended the duration of the History and Political Education paper in the ongoing 2026 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations by 15 minutes.

In a circular to secondary school head teachers, UNEB directed examination centres to immediately inform invigilators and candidates of the adjustment.

“UNEB hereby notifies all headteachers of secondary schools that the duration of 141/1 History and Political Education has been revised from 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes,” the circular reads in part.

The paper is scheduled for the afternoon session on the second day of the examinations, following English Language in the morning.

The previous timetable allocated 2 hours and 15 minutes to the paper, the same duration provided in last year’s examinations. UNEB had not explained the reason for the adjustment by press time.

Meanwhile, the second day of the examinations proceeded smoothly in several parts of the country, with school administrators and examination supervisors reporting timely delivery of examination materials and no major disruptions.

In Oyam district, examinations started without incident despite an early morning downpour that lasted several hours. Patrick Gira, head teacher of Abok Seed School, described the weather as “dull but not rainy”.

Across the Teso sub-region, district education officials and examination supervisors also reported a smooth start to the examinations.

Francis Ebenu, the area supervisor for Station 003 in Kumi district, said all examination materials for the first week had been received and distributed to the seven examination centres under his supervision.

Bukedea district education officer Stephen Okurut said his office was monitoring schools to ensure that all registered candidates were allowed to sit the examinations regardless of outstanding school fees.

“So far, Bukedea schools have accepted our plea for both government and private schools that all the students should be allowed to sit for exams even if they have not cleared fees. We are monitoring seriously to ensure no defects are in this examination,” Okurut said.

In Arua, confusion over the packaging of answer booklets at some examination centres under Arua Main had been resolved by the second day.

On the first day, schools, including Nile High School in Arua City, raised concerns over what appeared to be a shortage after candidates received two answer booklets each.

The concern stemmed from a new packaging method introduced by UNEB, under which the booklets are packed in pairs.

Area supervisor Matua Eliakim said the affected schools had since been guided on how to handle the booklets, which are packaged in pairs but must be issued to candidates individually.

In Arua and other parts of West Nile, candidates and teachers expressed greater confidence as the second day began under clearer skies, following heavy overnight rain that disrupted the start of examinations on the first day.

Most schools reported that examinations started on time. However, at Oleba Seed Secondary School in Maracha district, two of the 201 registered candidates had missed their papers on the first day.

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