Police in Rukungiri District have arrested a 23 year old university student accused of impersonating a candidate during the ongoing Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education examinations.
The suspect, identified as Cleophas Mbamanyire, is a Bachelor of Arts with Education student at Kampala International University, Luwero Campus. He was found writing the General Paper examination at Bugangari Secondary School while presenting himself as Brenda Akampurira, a registered candidate at the center.
The incident came to light when the UNEB chief invigilator, Ambrose Masiko, noticed irregularities in the way the student presented himself. School officials later confirmed that Mbamanyire did not appear on the official register of candidates. Police were alerted and intercepted him at about 11 a.m.
According to the Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson, Mbamanyire is being held at Rukungiri Police Station as investigations continue. Police are examining whether he acted alone or was linked to a wider network involved in exam malpractice.
The case adds to concerns about rising levels of impersonation and other forms of cheating reported during national examinations in the region. UNEB has repeatedly warned that impersonation is a serious offense. The board’s guidelines state that both the person hired to sit the exam and the registered candidate face cancellation of results and possible prosecution.
Education officials say incidents like this threaten the integrity of national assessments and highlight the need for stronger verification procedures and continued vigilance in examination centers.
Police have urged schools and the public to report suspicious activity promptly, noting that exam fraud undermines trust in the entire evaluation system.
