UNEB scout’s attempted bribe: St. Gracious School speaks after teacher involved

St. Gracious School in Lira has distanced itself from the alleged involvement of one of its teachers in an attempted bribery of a Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) scout.

The clarification follows the arrest of three suspects by North Kyoga Regional Police on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

According to police reports, the arrested UNEB scout—identified as Awoko Lavoiser—had been deployed by UNEB to supervise Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) at Atura Community School in Oyam district.

The examinations are scheduled for November 3–4, 2025, for Primary Seven candidates nationwide.

Leo Elem, Principal of St. Gracious Schools Lira, clarified that the school had formally released Awoko Lavoiser to UNEB on October 31, 2025, and he was posted in Oyam district.

In accordance with his appointment letter. “Once a teacher is handed over to UNEB, the school no longer has control over their activities,” Elem stated, refuting circulating claims that the school had deployed the accused.

The incident reportedly involved Odongo George, Director of Atura Community School, who allegedly engaged Awoko Lavoiser and another scout, Ayoo Christine, in a scheme to accept bribes intended to facilitate examination malpractice.

St. Gracious management emphasised that it strongly condemns the unethical behaviour exhibited by the implicated individuals. “We distance ourselves from such unprofessional conduct.

“Teacher Lavoiser was deployed by UNEB, not by St. Gracious,” the school reiterated, adding that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken once police conclude their investigation.

Police PRO SP Jimmy Patrick Okema confirmed that the suspects—Odongo George, Ekut Simon, 32, and Awoko Lavoiser, 26, were arrested at Garden Inn Hotel in Lira City after allegedly attempting to bribe Ayoo Christine with one million Uganda shillings.

The money, in 50,000 shilling denominations, was recovered and exhibited as evidence.

A case has been registered at Lira City Central Division Police Station, and investigations are ongoing. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of the probe.

Police PRO SP Okema said the suspects will be charged under Section 26(1)(g) of the UNEB Act, CAP 259, which provides for a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a fine of twenty million shillings, or both, upon conviction.

UNEB Executive Director, Dan Odongo, has cautioned the public and all those involved in supervising the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) to refrain from any acts that aid or abet malpractice.

Odongo emphasized that UNEB is working closely with Police and other security agencies to ensure the integrity of national examinations. He warned that anyone attempting to compromise the credibility of the exams, regardless of their status, will be arrested and prosecuted.

The UNEB Executive Director reiterated UNEB’s commitment to upholding strict standards and protecting the credibility of Uganda’s national examinations.

Recently, Odongo warned that invigilators and UNEB Scouts who negligently allow malpractice under their watch will face the law under Section 26 (1)(g), which provides up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of twenty million shillings, or both.

A total of 817,885 candidates have registered for the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), up from 797,444 in 2024, marking a 2.5% increase. These candidates are registered across 16,140 examination centers nationwide.

Of the total candidates, 389,529 (48%) are male and 428,356 (52%) are female. 522,039 (64%) of the candidates are funded by the government under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program, while 295,846 (36%) are privately sponsored.

The examinations also include 61 inmates from Upper Prison School, Luzira, comprising 54 males and 7 females, highlighting efforts to provide educational opportunities even within correctional facilities.