In Nabweru Chief Magistrate’s Court, sixteen individuals, comprising teachers, invigilators, a school secretary, and a student, faced charges related to examination malpractice. The accused, including individuals such as Gerald Kairu, Hakim Ssekalala, Juliet Nabirye, and others, were brought before Ms Winfred Agelun, the Nabweru Grade One Magistrate.
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Ms Agelun specified five counts against the suspects, encompassing possession of examination papers, engaging in acts of malpractice, loss or misuse of examination papers, damage or destruction of examination papers, and impersonation. The charges were filed under relevant sections of the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) Act.
The magistrate remanded the accused to Luzira prison until November 24 for a hearing on the bail application. Ms Agelun clarified the charges in detail. Count one involved the possession of examination papers at His Grace Primary School, where the suspects attempted to gain control of the Uganda Primary Leaving Examination papers.
Under count two, the suspects were charged with engaging in examination malpractice on the same day, violating Sec26(g) of the Uneb Act. Count three pertained to the loss or misuse of examination papers, as per Sec 27 of the Uneb Act. Additionally, the accused faced charges of damaging or destroying examination papers, leading to their conviction under the Uneb Act.
Two individuals, Muwera and Bagagga, were specifically charged with impersonation under Sec 381 of the Penal Code Act. Ms Agelun set the hearing date after declining the Senior State Prosecutor’s request, emphasizing that the lawyer representing some of the suspects, Mr. Emmanuel Kiyingi, needed time to review the evidence provided by the police.
Although the bail application was not accepted immediately, Mr. Kiyingi expressed confidence that it would be granted on November 24, emphasizing it as a constitutional right for the accused persons.
