The incident adds to a series of cases in which candidates have experienced labour or delivered babies during or shortly before their national examinations in Uganda.
A Senior Four candidate at Light Senior Secondary School in Soroti District delivered a baby boy while sitting her Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) English paper on Tuesday morning but went on to complete both examinations scheduled for the day.
Jennifer Kalule-Musamba, the UNEB spokesperson, said the candidate delivered safely with the assistance of the school nurse and health workers from a nearby health centre.
“Despite the unexpected turn of events, the candidate completed her morning English paper before proceeding to sit her afternoon examination,” Kalule-Musamba said.
She added that both the mother and her newborn were in good condition and were receiving medical monitoring and follow-up from health workers.
The candidate was expected to continue with her remaining examinations, subject to her medical condition and the advice of health workers.
Similar incidents reported
The incident adds to a series of cases in which candidates have experienced labour or delivered babies during or shortly before their national examinations in Uganda.
In October 2010, a 17-year-old candidate, Hajira Nabirye, delivered a baby boy after developing labour pains while sitting her English Paper One at Balawoli Secondary School in Kamuli District. She was rushed to a nearby health centre and continued with her examinations the following day.
In October 2015, Brenda Nakampi, an 18-year-old Senior Four candidate at Kabugye Secondary School in Kamuli District, delivered a baby girl after completing her Geography papers. She returned to sit her next examination the following day.
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In April 2021, UNEB reported that four babies had been delivered by candidates sitting their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE). The incidents occurred in Rubaga, Mpigi, Serere and Tororo districts. According to the board, the mothers were taken to hospital, with some later allowed to continue sitting their examinations.
In October 2023, UNEB reported that a Senior Four candidate from a school around Kampala gave birth to a baby girl after completing her papers for the first three days of the UCE examinations. She had been at home when labour pains began and delivered at a hospital before returning to sit her Physics paper the following morning.
That same examination period, two other Senior Four candidates, from Kibaale and Gulu districts, delivered shortly before their Chemistry and Physics papers and proceeded to sit the examinations.
