Uneb Distances Itself from Forged Academic Documents

By skika Reporter.

The Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) has clarified that it is not responsible for the growing circulation of forged academic documents, stressing that all authentic records are securely maintained in its official database.

Uneb Executive Director Dan Odongo distanced the board from the increasing use of counterfeit academic certificates, particularly by individuals seeking political and public office.

He made the remarks while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Education alongside officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, led by State Minister Peter Ogwang.

The delegation had appeared to update lawmakers on the progress of the new secondary school curriculum, presenting findings from a survey conducted in 171 schools involving headteachers and students.

However, the session shifted focus after committee members raised concerns about the rising number of forged academic qualifications being presented for jobs and elective positions.

Nathan Itungo, the MP for Kashari South, cited past incidents in which politicians allegedly relied on questionable documents to contest for office.

“I remember, Chair, the late Al Hajj Nasser Ntege Sebaggala when he was contesting as mayor — there were numerous issues with his documents, and he kept referring to Uneb. Many politicians have since followed suit, and some have even won elections using forged academic records,” Itungo said.

In response, Odongo acknowledged the existence of forged certificates but maintained that Uneb cannot be held accountable for counterfeit documents produced outside its systems.

“The board has no control over counterfeit certificates obtained from illicit printers, and we do not have knowledge of where they are produced. However, we know such documents exist, and it is the responsibility of the police to act on them,” Odongo told the committee.

He emphasized that all legitimate Uneb results and certificates are securely stored in the board’s official database, which enables verification of academic credentials whenever required by employers, institutions, or authorities.

Odongo also defended Uneb’s certification standards, noting that certificates are only issued to candidates who meet the established academic requirements.

Under the previous curriculum, candidates seeking the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) were required to obtain at least a Grade 4 in the relevant subjects. For the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), candidates must have secured at least one subsidiary pass in a principal subject to qualify for certification.

The clarification comes amid heightened scrutiny of academic credentials in Uganda’s political and public sectors, with lawmakers urging stricter enforcement against those found using forged documents.