The Ministry of Education and Sports has issued a strict ban on the public display of students’ national examination results, declaring the common practice illegal under Uganda’s data protection laws. In a strongly worded circular dated May 5th, 2025, the Ministry ordered all schools to immediately stop publishing individual candidates’ scores, result slips, or photographs on billboards, social media, or any public platforms.

Permanent Secretary Kedrace Turyagenda emphasized that this directive aligns with the Data Protection and Privacy Act of 2019, which safeguards citizens’ personal information. The move follows repeated warnings from the First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni, who had previously cautioned schools against publicizing exam results during the 2024 national examinations release.

“Publicizing candidates’ results violates their privacy rights and exposes them to unnecessary stress, anxiety, and potential harassment,” Turyagenda stated in the circular addressed to all school heads and private school proprietors. She explained that the Ministry has a duty to protect learners’ dignity and well-being by ensuring academic results remain confidential matters between students, parents, and their schools.

The ban specifically targets Uganda’s long-standing tradition where schools prominently display top performers’ names and scores as marketing tools. Under the new rules, schools can only share general performance summaries without identifying individual students. Results must now be communicated privately through sealed letters or secure digital platforms directly to students and their guardians.

Legal experts have welcomed the decision, noting it enforces Part VIII of Uganda’s data protection law which carries penalties for unauthorized handling of personal information. “A student’s academic performance is sensitive personal data that shouldn’t be paraded publicly without consent,” remarked lawyer Patricia Mutesi. “This protects children from being reduced to just exam numbers.”

Education stakeholders have expressed mixed reactions. While some school administrators acknowledge the privacy benefits, others worry about losing a key way to showcase academic excellence. “Displaying results motivated both students and teachers,” said Kampala headteacher Robert Ssentongo. “But we’ll adapt by highlighting our holistic education approach instead.”

The Ministry has instructed schools to shift their marketing focus to extracurricular programs, community projects, and overall institutional development rather than exam rankings. All school heads must now conduct awareness sessions teaching staff, students, and parents about properly handling examination information.

Private schools face particular scrutiny under the new rules. The circular specifically warns proprietors that violations could lead to disciplinary action against their institutions. “We expect private schools to lead in complying since they’re most prone to using results for advertising,” Turyagenda noted.

Child psychologists have applauded the policy shift, saying public result displays often harm students’ mental health. “The pressure of having your scores broadcasted causes immense stress,” explained child therapist Dr. Miriam Nalwadda. “Some high achievers develop anxiety about maintaining top positions, while poorer performers face stigma.”

The ban comes as Uganda intensifies implementation of its data protection laws across sectors. Last year, the National Information Technology Authority began enforcing similar privacy rules for businesses and government agencies handling citizens’ digital information.

As schools prepare for the next national examinations, the Education Ministry has pledged close monitoring to ensure compliance. District education officers will conduct surprise inspections, particularly checking notice boards and school social media pages for violations.

While the cultural shift may take time, legal experts emphasize that Uganda is joining global best practices in education privacy. Many countries now restrict public exam result displays to protect young learners. The Ministry maintains this progressive step will create healthier learning environments where students’ worth isn’t measured solely by test scores.

Parents have been urged to support the change by respecting result confidentiality and discouraging unhealthy comparisons between children. “Every learner develops differently,” the circular reminded. “True education nurtures all talents, not just exam performance.”

With this landmark decision, Uganda’s education system takes a major step toward safeguarding children’s rights in the digital age while challenging long-held practices that prioritized institutional prestige over student wellbeing. As the policy takes effect, the nation watches to see how schools will adapt their traditions to this new era of educational privacy.