A 23-year-old university student has been arrested for impersonating a candidate during the ongoing Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations in Rukungiri District.
The suspect, Cleophas Mbamanyire, a student at Kampala International University Luwero Campus pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with Education, was allegedly hired to sit the examination on behalf of a female candidate, Brenda Akampurira.
Police said Mbamanyire, who hails from Ruhabo 2A Village, Rutunguru Parish in Ihunga Sub-county, Ntungamo District, was intercepted on Thursday at around 11:00 a.m. as he wrote the General Paper at Bugangari Secondary School.
Suspicion arose when UNEB Chief Invigilator Ambrose Masiko noticed inconsistencies and questioned the individual presenting himself as the candidate.
Upon verification, officials confirmed that Mbamanyire was not the registered candidate.
Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson ASP Elly Maate confirmed the arrest and said the suspect is currently detained at Rukungiri Police Station as investigations continue.
He noted that inquiries will seek to establish whether other persons were involved in planning the impersonation.
The case adds to the growing number of examination malpractice incidents reported in the region during the 2024–2025 national examination cycle.
During the recent Primary Leaving Examinations in Kisoro District, two teachers were arrested for allegedly aiding malpractice. The suspects, Bernard Katabire, an invigilator at Real Quality Primary School, and Samuel Baker Munyantwari, head teacher of Seseme Primary School, were reportedly found with unauthorized examination materials.
Their arrests followed an incident during the Mathematics paper when UNEB scout George Kisakye entered the examination room at Seseme Primary School and allegedly found Katabire holding a photocopied answer sheet containing solutions to questions 31 and 32.
Both educators face charges related to examination malpractice.
UNEB has repeatedly cautioned candidates, teachers, and examination personnel against any form of malpractice, warning that such actions undermine the credibility of national examinations.
The board maintains that penalties may include cancellation of results for entire examination centres.
Schools have been urged to strictly enforce examination guidelines, while the public has been encouraged to report suspicious activity as the national exams continue.