Kampala – May 14, 2025
The Ministry of Education and Sports has issued a directive banning the public display of individual candidates’ Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) results, citing concerns over privacy violations.In a circular addressed to all school heads, the Ministry, through Permanent Secretary Kedrace Turyagenda, emphasized that the act of publishing students’ results, including result slips and photographs, on billboards, notice boards, or media platforms contravenes the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019.
“The practice of publicly displaying individual performance undermines the right to privacy of learners and exposes them to unnecessary scrutiny,” Turyagenda stated. She urged all educational institutions to comply with the directive immediately to avoid legal implications.
The Ministry noted that while schools may celebrate collective achievements, any public disclosure of specific student information must be done with written consent from the individuals or their guardians.This development marks a shift in long-standing traditions, particularly among top-performing schools that have typically showcased stellar results as a mark of academic excellence. However, the Ministry insists that student dignity and legal compliance must take precedence over such publicity.
Education stakeholders have been reminded to focus on fostering a supportive and respectful environment that values both academic achievement and personal rights.
The directive follows growing concern from parents, educationists, and child rights advocates about the psychological impact of public ranking and exposure of minors’ academic records.Schools have been warned that failure to adhere to the guidelines will attract disciplinary measures and potential legal consequences under the data protection law.
