KAMPALA, Uganda — A total of 89 inmate learners have commenced the 2026 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, with the Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) reporting a smooth start to the national examinations.
According to a press release issued by the Uganda Prisons Service, the inmate candidates began with the Mathematics paper as part of their academic assessment at two registered examination centres.
The examinations are being conducted at Upper Prison Inmates School and Mbarara Main Inmates School, with candidates drawn from several prisons across the country.
Upper Prison Inmates School has presented 75 candidates, comprising 67 males and eight females. The candidates are drawn from Kigo, Jinja, Murchison Bay, Upper Prison and Luzira Women Prison.
Meanwhile, Mbarara Main Inmates School has registered 14 male candidates from Kakika and Mbarara Main Prisons, bringing the total number of participating inmate learners to 89.
The participation of inmates in the national examinations forms part of the implementation of Uganda’s Universal Education Policy and the Uganda Prisons Service’s ongoing rehabilitation programmes.
Through formal education, inmates are given an opportunity to acquire academic qualifications, develop their knowledge and skills, and prepare for reintegration into society after serving their sentences.
The Commissioner General of Prisons has extended his best wishes to all candidates, commending them for their dedication, resilience and commitment to pursuing formal education while in custody.
The Uganda Prisons Service continues to promote education as a key component of rehabilitation, with the ongoing UCE examinations offering inmate learners an opportunity to advance their academic ambitions and improve their prospects for life beyond prison.
