UNEB reported that 98.9 percent of the candidates qualified for the UACE certificate, after obtaining at least a subsidiary pass in a principal subject.
The Uganda National Examinations Board has released the results of the 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education examination, showing improved overall performance and a sharp rise in the number of candidates who sat the exams.
According to the results presented on Friday by UNEB Executive Director Dan N. Odongo, a total of 166,400 candidates registered for the 2025 UACE examination compared to 141,996 in 2024, representing an increase of 24,404 candidates (17.2%).
Of those registered, 165,172 candidates sat the examinations, including 72,374 females and 92,798 males, while 1,228 candidates were absent, representing 0.7 percent of the total registered candidates.
The examinations were conducted between November 10 and December 5, 2025, under the theme “Embracing security and holistic assessment of learners in a dynamic environment.”
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Improved overall performance
UNEB reported that 98.9 percent of the candidates qualified for the UACE certificate, after obtaining at least a subsidiary pass in a principal subject.
A total of 68,906 candidates (41.7%) obtained three principal passes, while 44,385 candidates (26.9%) obtained two principal passes.
This means 113,291 candidates (68.6%) meet the minimum entry requirement for university degree programmes, which typically require two principal passes. The figure represents an increase from 92,273 candidates (65.5%) who qualified in 2024.
If admission requirements of one principal and two subsidiary passes are considered for diploma-level programmes and other tertiary institutions, 145,129 candidates (87.9%) qualify for further education.
Female candidates perform better overall
Although fewer females sat the examination compared to males, UNEB said female candidates performed proportionally better.
At the top levels, 44.6 percent of females obtained three principal passes, compared to 39.5 percent of males. Female candidates also recorded lower failure rates, with 0.8 percent failing compared to 1.4 percent of males.
However, UNEB noted that male candidates still dominated in the number of A grades in science and mathematics subjects, partly due to higher male enrolment in those subjects.
Growth in science and mathematics entries
The results also showed a steady increase in the number of candidates registering for science subjects and mathematics.
For example, 70,132 candidates registered for Mathematics in 2025, up from 58,495 in 2024. Entries also rose in Chemistry, Biology, and Agriculture, although Physics entries slightly declined.
Female participation in science subjects has also been rising steadily over the past five years, although their numbers remain lower than those of male candidates.
Special needs and prison candidates
A total of 540 candidates with special needs registered for the 2025 examinations, up from 437 in 2024. These included candidates who are blind, deaf, dyslexic, or those with physical impairments and other health conditions.
Most of these candidates qualified for the certificate, with many obtaining three principal passes.
UNEB also registered 70 candidates from Luzira Upper Prison, of whom 68 sat the examination.
Of these, 31 candidates obtained three principal passes, while 66 qualified for the UACE certificate.
Examination malpractice remains low
The board reported 351 cases of examination malpractice, representing 0.2 percent of all candidates, from 47 examination centres out of 2,452 centres nationwide.
The cases mainly involved possession of unauthorized materials, receiving assistance during science practical examinations, and impersonation. UNEB said the affected results have been withheld pending investigations.
Accessing results
Schools can access the results through the UNEB examination centre portals, while candidates and parents can also obtain them through SMS on MTN and Airtel by sending the candidate’s index number to 6600.
Hard copies of the results will be available for collection from UNEB offices next week.
UNEB congratulated candidates who performed well and encouraged those who did not meet their expectations to remain hopeful and continue working towards their academic goals.
