The Uganda Prisons Services (UPS) is hailing its inmate education programs as a standout rehabilitation effort, with a notable increase in senior six candidates this year.
According to Uganda Prisons, at least 70 inmates commenced their senior six examinations across various prisons in preparation for the 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) exams.
Of these, 66 are male while 4 are female. This marks the largest number of prison students in the past 20 years, since the Prisons Service began enrolling inmates for the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) exams at all levels 20 years ago.
Uganda Prisons Frank Baine spokesperson said the prisons’ education program has empowered prisoners to become teachers, lawyers, and community leaders, showcasing the rehabilitative power of education and equipping them for productive lives post-release.
“Our research indicates that since this education program began 20 years ago, 98 per cent of inmates initially join to alleviate boredom, but with guidance, they become committed and successful, transforming into valuable members of society and abandoning their past. This program has been the most effective rehabilitation initiative in the prison’s 20-year history,” Baine stated.
Baine emphasized that the examination process in prisons is conducted with utmost fairness, adhering strictly to Uneb’s general examination measures since the government fully supports the program and inmates undergo the same curriculum.
According to Jennifer Kalule, the Uneb public relations officer, Luzira Upper is their only designated prison examination centre. It receives examination materials, scouts, and security personnel directly, like other centres.
She, however, noted that the remaining 20 inmate learning centres rely on nearby schools for support. “For candidates in other districts, they’re registered in nearby schools and follow the same procedures as other students,” Kalule explained. “No special treatment is given unless candidates have special needs, categorised under SNE, in which case they’re offered an extra 45 minutes,” Kalule noted.
According to Uneb, 166,402 registered students have begun their exams on Monday, with Arts students writing the History of Africa paper, while science students took Physics Paper One at 2844 centres across the country, compared to 11,996 who sat in 2024.
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