In an unfolding saga, Uganda's Examination body, UNEB, has communicated to lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi that they lack the UCE and UACE (Uganda Certificate of Education and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education) answer sheets for the President of the National Unity Platform, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
In response to a request from Mabirizi, who sought the senior four and senior six answer sheets for Kyagulanyi, UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo sent a letter confirming, "This is to acknowledge receipt of your request and we wish to inform you that UNEB doesn't have the answer script for those years."
Mabirizi's request to UNEB stemmed from his earlier receipt of Kyagulanyi's result copies in 2020, which raised concerns due to apparent irregularities. In his communication to UNEB, Mabirizi stated, "I have taken time to critically look at the results you availed to me on August 27, 2020 and keenly observed that the candidate who is purported to have sat the same and your statement that by 1996 and 1998, you had no candidates’ photo album. I am accordingly of the view that Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu seems to have used a mercenary to write for him examinations both at Ordinary and Advanced Standard levels."
The lawyer's concern for potential forgery raises legal issues under Section 19(d), which states that anyone who impersonates or attempts to do so commits an offense. Mabirizi pointed out this potential offense, stating, "Any person who- with intent to impersonate, presents or attempts to present himself or herself in the place of an enrolled candidate; commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand shillings or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment."
To resolve these questions, Mabirizi invoked the Access to Information Act, 2005, and requested Kyagulanyi's answer sheets to compare handwriting and potentially ascertain authenticity. Mabirizi hinted at invoking UNEB's powers under the Uganda National Examinations Board Act, 2021, to revisit Kyagulanyi's results if disparities were found.
This latest development follows Mabirizi's separate legal case against Kyagulanyi, claiming fraudulent registration and entry into Makerere University two decades ago. The case, which initially saw a ruling in favor of Mabirizi, has now transitioned to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further handling. The unfolding events continue to cast a spotlight on Kyagulanyi's educational and legal history.
