The performance of candidates varied across subjects, with English showing improvement yet Social Studies and Religious Education (SST) experienced a decline.
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results for 2025, with a total of 817,883 candidates from 15,388 examination centres registering for the exams. This represents a 2.6% increase from 2024.
More girls (52.4%) completed the Primary Education cycle than boys (47.6%), continuing a trend from previous years. The exams saw participation from special needs candidates and prison inmates, with 3,636 learners with special needs and 101 prison inmates registered.
The UNEB executive director, Dan Odong during the release of the PLE results from State House Nakasero on Friday, highlighted concerns over exam malpractice, with cases reported in several districts.
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The PLE results were handed over to the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni who later conducted the official release of the results.
The performance of candidates varied across subjects, with English showing improvement yet Social Studies and Religious Education (SST) experienced a decline.
According to the item response analysis, less than 20% of candidates demonstrated higher ability levels in any subject, while two-thirds exhibited medium ability levels.
Odong expressed gratitude to stakeholders, including security agencies, education officials, and the media, for their support in conducting the exams.
He also acknowledged the efforts of parents, guardians, and candidates, urging those who didn’t perform well to stay positive.
Exam malpractice remains a concern, with cases of bribery and intimidation reported in districts like Kisoro, Kampala, and Mukono.
Odong said that UNEB has withheld results of the candidates or schools which involved in exam malpractice pending investigation and will take action against those found culpable.
Odong praised districts like Kyenjojo, Kabarole, and Bundibugyo for showing improvement in exam integrity.
He said results are available online and via SMS, with hard copies distributed to District Inspectors of Schools. Candidates can access results by typing PLE followed by their index number and sending to 6600 on MTN and Airtel networks.
