Two primary school teachers have been fined Shs 5 million each after pleading guilty to vending Primary Leaving Examination papers online.
Vincent Muheeki, a teacher at Vision Primary School in Ibanda, and Albert Pabeku, a teacher at Stone Ridge Primary School in Kira, Wakiso District, were sentenced on Thursday to pay the fine, or, if they fail to do so, serve 14 months in prison.
Kira Grade One Magistrate Ivan Sseguya explained that while the maximum punishment for the offence of possessing examination materials or information, under Section 25(1) of the UNEB Act 2021, is five years’ imprisonment or a fine of Shs 20 million, or both, he had opted for a non-custodial sentence since this was the pair’s first offense.
“This offence directly touches the integrity of our national exams. Primary Leaving Examinations lay a firm foundation for the future professionals of this country. If future professionals are corrupted at such a young stage through dubious activities of people like you, I am certain there will be a menace in the professional sphere in the future,” Sseguya said.
He added, “The sanctity of our national exams must be jealously protected, and punishment should be imposed on those who interfere with our exams, like you. I agree with the state that you, as teachers, should set good examples for our children instead of corrupting their minds through cheating.”
The magistrate informed the convicts that they had the right to appeal to the High Court within 14 days if they were dissatisfied with the conviction and sentence.
Two other teachers, who were jointly charged with Muheeki and Pabeku, changed their pleas to deny the charges. They will return to court on the 14th of this month.
