At Muhorro BCS Primary School, three of the 110 registered candidates were absent with one hospitalised while the others could not be located.
The start of the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) in Kagadi District has faced challenges, with reports of absenteeism among registered candidates and delays in delivering question parcels to 92 exam centers across the district.
At Muhorro BCS Primary School, three of the 110 registered candidates were absent. According to the Headteacher, Ms Grace Kyomukama, one female candidate was hospitalised, while the other two could not be located.
At Good Hope Foundation School, Head Teacher Richard Namanya reported that one out of 56 candidates was absent.
Namanya and other head teachers expressed concern over the late delivery of exam papers, which arrived after 9:00 a.m., causing exams to begin around 10:00 a.m.
"We had our students ready on time, and the invigilators were present, but the papers arrived past 9:00 a.m., which disrupted the students' focus," Namanya explained.
Alice Kabasana, Head Teacher of Kabworo Primary School, mentioned that one of her 55 registered candidates did not show up for the exams.
Kabasana indicated that preliminary reports suggest the female candidate got married in Kyenjojo District.
"It's painful to invest time in a student and then lose track of her right before her exams," she lamented.
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In distant exam centers near Lake Albert in Bwikara, Nyakarongo, Mpefu, and Kyaterekera sub-counties, exams also began late, around 10:00 a.m., due to delayed deliveries.
Kagadi District registered a total of 60,303 candidates across 92 centers in Buyaga West and Buyaga East counties.
Despite the logistical setbacks, many candidates expressed optimism, describing the initial exams as manageable and thanking their teachers for preparing them well.
In neighboring Kibaale District, District Inspector of Schools John Ntaragaboine reported that 2,627 candidates across 43 centers sat for the exams, with only minor cases of absenteeism.
Similarly, in Kakumiro District, District Inspector of Schools Mary Kyofuna confirmed few absentees but noted delays in exam deliveries, particularly in Kakindo and Kisiita Town Councils.
These incidents highlight the challenges faced by examination centers in remote areas and underscore the need for timely logistical coordination to ensure smooth examination processes.
