UNEB top executives led by the Chief Executive Mr. Dan Nokrach Odongo held a meeting with the Uganda Embassy, Bujumbura to strategize on the best way forward to conclude the process of setting up a UNEB Examination Center in the Republic of Burundi. 

The process that began in 2018 was affected by the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic with only one school at the time teaching the Ugandan Curriculum in Burundi.

With a total of five schools now teaching the Ugandan syllabus and an average of over  100 students per school having to travel to Uganda to take up their final UNEB exams annually, it has become costly and cumbersome  for both parents and students. 

During the Joint Permanent Commission that was held  in Bujumbura in March 2022, among the areas for collaboration that were agreed upon were the sectors of Education, Immigration and Health. 

The setting up of a UNEB Center will be in line in with UNEB's Vision of being a globally competitive educational assesment  and certification body.

It was noted at the meeting that while H.E. President Yoweri Museveni has been a key advocate of regional integration, Uganda's education system has been a major player in that aspect with many  alumni from the region  studying at Ugandan institutions at secondary and tertiary level. UNEB has also played a pivotal role in enhancing the soft power diplomacy for the Country. 

In this sitting, UNEB committed to conclude it's internal processes and thereafter send a Technical Officer to Burundi in  February 2025 during the Uganda Education Expo in Bujumbura. The Officer will also use the visit to assess progress made on criteria and adherence to UNEB guidelines that were shared in 2018. 

The meeting was attended by Mr. Nangosya Mike Masikye who is Director Examinations,  Ms. Naigaga M. Laetitia representing the Office of the Executive Director, Ms. Nabukenya Rose Mukasa who is the Principal Examinations Officer, Mr. James Turyatemba  and Mr. Solomon Kasasira from Uganda Embassy, Bujumbura. 

 Public Diplomacy Unit Bujumbura. 

Ends.