Uganda’s Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, has issued a directive. The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) and other assessment bodies must comply with the country’s Data Protection and Privacy Act. This applies when releasing examination results.
Mrs. Museveni spoke during the announcement of the 2024 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results. She emphasized the importance of protecting students’ personal information. She noted concerns raised by the Personal Data Protection Office. Publicly disclosing sensitive details can harm students. These include names, photographs, and individual grades.
“The Data Protection and Privacy Act prohibits public disclosure of children’s personal data,” Mrs. Museveni stated. Such disclosures can lead to harassment, stigma, or emotional distress among learners.
To ensure compliance, the Minister directed UNEB to collaborate with the Data Protection and Privacy Office. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports will also be involved. Their task is to establish guidelines for managing examination results legally.
“I instruct UNEB and all related agencies to work with the Data Protection and Privacy Office,” she declared. They must seek guidance on achieving full compliance. Additionally, the Permanent Secretary will issue a formal circular. It will guide educational institutions on maintaining student privacy while sharing exam outcomes.
This directive moves away from traditional methods of publishing results. Schools and examination bodies are encouraged to adopt alternative approaches. These should prioritize confidentiality. The goal is to create a secure and respectful environment for students.
The initiative highlights Uganda’s commitment to data protection. It reinforces the importance of safeguarding young people’s personal information. It also reflects the Ministry’s dedication to fostering a supportive educational ecosystem.
