The Ministry of Education and Sports has issued a ban on the public display of individual candidates’ national examination results, warning that the practice contravenes the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019.
In a circular dated May 7, 2025, the Ministry Permanent Secretary, Dr Kedrace Turyagenda, directed all heads of institutions and private school proprietors to immediately stop publishing candidates’ scores, result slips, or photographs across public media, billboards, and school notice boards.
“This practice is in violation of the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019,” the circular read, noting that such disclosures infringe on the privacy, dignity, and well-being of learners.
Turyagenda emphasized that academic outcomes must be communicated with discretion and in full compliance with legal frameworks. She cited Section 36 (1–2) of the Data Protection Act, which prohibits unauthorized public disclosure of personal information and prescribes penalties for violations.
The directive follows warnings previously issued by First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni during the release of the 2024 PLE, UCE, and UACE results, where she cautioned schools against using candidates’ results as marketing tools.
“Schools must avoid using candidates’ examination results for advertising or marketing purposes,” Turyagenda said, stressing that institutions should instead promote holistic education through extracurricular achievements, character building, and institutional development without revealing personal data.
To comply with the new policy, Ms Turyagenda directed all schools to ensure they deliver individual results directly to students and their parents or guardians through sealed letters or secure digital platforms.
The May 07 circular also explicitly prohibits the posting of names, scores, or photos on social media, school gates, or any other public forums. Instead, general performance summaries of candidates may be shared, provided they do not include identifiers such as names or photos.
Additionally, school leaders are expected to sensitize their staff, students, and parents on the importance of confidentiality in handling exam results.
“All headteachers of private schools are specifically urged to enforce this directive diligently,” the circular concluded. “Any head of school found in breach of this guidance will face stern disciplinary action.”
The ministry warned that failure to comply with this directive is punishable under Section 36 of the Data Protection and Privacy Act, which outlines penalties for non-compliance.
