The Government has released sh18.5bn for marking of all National exams at the various levels of primary, secondary and vocational.

The money, released through Ministry of Finance, will cover such expenses as marking fees, food and accommodation for examiners and support staff, examiners out of pocket, materials for use at marking and computerized stationery.

This was revealed by the UNEB Executive Secretary, Mathew Bukenya at a press conference held Thursday at their headquarters in Kampala.

He was responding to press reports that marking of exams would be delayed due to lack of funds in the ministry.

"We are actually very grateful to Government that they responded to our request on time and now over 80% of this money has already been released and allocated to the various centers where the exams are going to be marked from," Bukenya said.

He said that marking preparations have been finalized and part of the staff is already at the marking centers awaiting the examiners who will soon join them.

He added that the concluded exams were successfully handled with no leakages and a minimal rate of exam malpractices which shows a great improvement in the services of the board.

He said the marking system had also been improved to avoid cases of bias and under marking. Examiners now work in teams unlike in the past when one examiner would mark the whole paper from a particular candidate.

Bukenya also noted that the results will be out as scheduled with no interruptions so that students can continue to further levels in time.