Two remanded over alleged PLE registration fraud

Two men have been remanded to Luzira Prison over allegations of obtaining money by false pretence from people they allegedly promised to help register for the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).

Ambrose Okot, 42, also known as William Musinguzi, a businessman, and Tom Ronald Omara, 45, a school inspector in Lira City, appeared before City Hall senior magistrate Edgar Karakire today, Friday, where the charges were read to them. Both denied the charges.

The prosecution alleges that the two conspired to commit a felony in June 2026, contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Act.

In a separate count, Okot is accused of obtaining Shs 500,000 from Bob Sammy Okino at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala by allegedly claiming he would help clear him of cases relating to the alleged inflation of student numbers at Lango College.

Okot is also accused of obtaining Shs 1.5 million from Moses Ayindi at Kigowa in Ntinda, Kampala, after allegedly promising to facilitate the transfer of Ayindi’s relative to another location.

In another count, the prosecution alleges that Okot and Omara obtained Shs 2 million from Leonard Omara in Lira city by falsely claiming they would facilitate the registration of private PLE candidates at Olaka Child Care primary school as Universal Primary Education (UPE) candidates.

Okot faces an additional charge of personation. Prosecutors allege that he presented himself to Leonard Omara as a legal officer of the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) to obtain the money.

State Attorney Benjamin Amanya told the court that investigations were ongoing. He requested an adjournment to allow investigators to verify the bank account details and mobile money accounts through which the alleged payments were made.

Defence lawyer Andrew Omara, who represented the accused, told the court that he had only recently received instructions from his clients and needed a short adjournment to consult them.

Magistrate Karakire remanded the two accused to Luzira Prison until October 30, 2026, to allow further investigations.

The case comes barely two weeks after six other suspects appeared before the same court over alleged examination malpractice involving PLE examination materials.

On October 8, 2026, the six suspects — Dickson Tugeineyo, 35; Deogracious Opio, 36; Ismail Madete, 18; William George Olwa, 31; Bruno Lyazi, 34; and Nathan Ssebulonde, 28, also known as Jungle — were charged and remanded over the alleged possession of fake PLE examination papers.

The prosecution alleges that between September and October 2026, the six suspects and others still at large were found in possession or control of examination papers, materials or information purportedly relating to the PLE examinations in Mathematics, Social Studies, Integrated Science and English.

According to the prosecution, the examination materials are the exclusive property of Uneb. The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Shs 20 million, or both upon conviction.

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