Education inspectors and officers across Bunyoro sub-region have expressed confidence that their pupils will perform well in the just-concluded Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), despite a teachers’ industrial action that saw most educators abandon classrooms for nearly a month.
Candidate-class teachers, however, continued teaching, ensuring learners missed minimal syllabus coverage.
A total of 38,229 pupils sat the PLE across the nine local governments in Bunyoro, including Hoima City, with Kagadi District recording the highest number of candidates.
Kagadi has 7,807 candidates, followed by Kakumiro with 5,096.
Hoima City registered 3,691 candidates, up from 3,501 in 2024, of whom 1,943 are in government schools under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program, while 1,748 are in private schools.
Kikuube District has 4,716 candidates, with 2,411 under UPE and 2,305 in private schools.
The district has 2,376 female candidates and 2,340 males, marking an increase from 4,259 candidates in 2024.
Masindi has 3,062 candidates, Kiryandongo 5,656, and Kakumiro 5,096. In Kagadi, 5,709 boys and 2,098 girls are sitting across 98 examination centers.
Despite heavy rains at the start of the exams, officials reported that papers were delivered on time.
Harriet Kiuhumuro, Hoima District Education Officer, said candidate-class teachers continued teaching during the strike, ensuring learners were prepared.
“While the strike was on, teachers in candidate classes did not go on strike. We are confident our candidates will perform well,” she said.
Johnson Kusiima Baingana, Hoima City Education Officer and chairperson of district education officers in Bunyoro, said logistics were carefully planned to ensure safe and timely delivery of exam papers, sometimes using boda bodas escorted by police in hard-to-reach areas.
Amon Zondera, Kikuube District Inspector of Schools, expressed ambition to produce top candidates in the region, noting that Hoima and Masindi have historically led in PLE results.
Johnson Katusabe of Kiryandongo acknowledged challenges posed by poor roads and refugee settlements but said the exercise was successfully conducted.
Monic Kiiiza, Masindi District Inspector, emphasized government schools’ competitiveness, saying they are creating a conducive environment for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds to excel.
Mary Kyofuna, Kakumiro District Inspector, highlighted the need to maintain high standards in a district home to prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Minister Fred Byamukama.
Officials collectively expressed optimism that Bunyoro candidates will deliver strong results when UNEB releases them in January 2026.