Two senior six students in Masaka City are under investigation for allegedly using artificial intelligence (AI) to cheat during the ongoing Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) exams. The incident occurred during an afternoon history exam on Monday at Masaka Hall.
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) confirmed that Cecilia Nabahinda and Grace Nakiyimba were caught using smartphones to access AI-generated essays and summarized notes during the exam.
According to UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule, one student downloaded an essay using an AI tool, while the other had stored notes on her device, violating exam protocols.
Police are now investigating the incident as part of a broader effort to combat exam malpractice. While UNEB has previously caught students using mobile phones during exams, this marks the first case where AI technology has been used to gain an unfair advantage on a national exam in Uganda.
Under the UNEB Act, candidates are explicitly forbidden from bringing any unauthorized materials into the exam room, including mobile phones and other communication devices. Additionally, any form of external assistance is prohibited. These regulations are clearly outlined in the General Instructions and the Caution Against Malpractice document given to all students prior to the exams.
