Tayari News
KAMPALA – The results of the 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examination, which was conducted between 10th November and 5th December, 2025, under the theme: Embracing security and holistic assessment of learners in a dynamic environment, were released on Friday, 13th March by the Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni at State House, Nakasero.
A total of 166,400 candidates registered for the 2025 UACE examination compared to 141,996 candidates in 2024; an increase of 24,404 candidates (17.2%). Of these, 72,764 (43.7%) were females, and 93,636 (56.3%) were males. Centres for the UACE examination increased by 197 (8.7%) from 2,255 in 2024 to 2,452 in 2025.
Candidates who appeared for the examination were 165,172 compared to 140,884 in 2024, an increase of 24,288 candidates (17.2%). Of these, 72,374 (43.8%) were females, and 92,798 (56.2%) were males. At this level, the number of female candidates has consistently been significantly lower than that of the males.
The number of candidates who have sat is less than 50 per cent of those who sat UCE two years earlier. However, there are several other post-UCE pathways available to them.
A total of 540 Special Needs Education (SNE) candidates (274 males and 266 females) registered for the 2025 UACE examination, as compared to 437 (249 males and 188 females) in 2024.
The Board also registered 70 candidates from Uganda Government Upper Prison, Luzira (66 males and 4 females), compared to 49 (46 males and 3 females) in 2024. Sixty-eight of the candidates (64 males and 4 females) sat the examination.
There is an overall improvement in performance in 2025 compared to 2024 in terms of the number of Principal-level passes. A high percentage of 98.9% qualify for the UACE certificate. Under the current regulations, a candidate requires a Subsidiary level pass in a Principal level subject to qualify.
113,291 (68.6%) qualify to be admitted, compared to 92,273 (65.5%) in 2024. This is consistent with the fact that there was a significant increase in entries for the examination in 2025. An extra 21,018 university places should be available to absorb these.
Female candidates have performed better than their male counterparts. The percentage passes at the upper levels (3P and 2P) are higher, while the percentage passes at the lower levels and the failure rate among female candidates are lower than for the males.
Female candidates performed better than their male counterparts at the principal level pass (A-E) in most of the Humanities subjects, Mathematics, Physics, General Paper, Subsidiary Mathematics and Subsidiary ICT. However, at the top level of A passes, the males scored better than the females in Mathematics and Sciences. Female entries for the Sciences and Mathematics are lower than for the males, consistent with the fact that overall female entry is lower than that of the males.
The performance of candidates has shown notable improvements in Mathematics, Chemistry, Agriculture, Geography and Economics. Other subjects with improvements are Biology and Literature in English. Significant drops in levels of performance are noticeable in Entrepreneurship Education, Christian Religious Education, Fine Art and Physics. Grades for the Science subjects have remarkably improved compared to the Humanities.
In the Humanities, the problems continue to be poor interpretation of questions due to a misunderstanding of the key concepts that determine the expected responses. In History, for example, inadequate levels of analytical and evaluative skills, logical flow of content and relevant examples were observed.
There is a 17.2% increase in candidature at UACE from 141,996 to 166,400. UNEB continues to observe sustained growth in candidature at the UACE level, reflecting expanded access to post-O’ Level education and growing public confidence in the credibility of national assessments.
The Board noted sustained growth in candidature at the UACE level, reflecting expanded access to post-O’ Level education and growing public confidence in the credibility of national assessments.
As candidature expands, the Board remains mindful of its responsibility to safeguard standards, ensure comparability over time, and maintain fairness in assessment.
Performance patterns across subjects remain broadly consistent with previous years. The Humanities continue to attract a larger proportion of candidates compared to the Sciences.
While recognizing the indispensable role of the Humanities in nation-building, the Board reiterates the strategic importance of Mathematics and the Sciences in driving innovation, industrialisation, and technological advancement. Sustained investment in science infrastructure, teacher capacity and laboratory resources remains critical to building a robust pipeline into tertiary STEM programmes.
Female candidates have continued to perform commendably better than their male counterparts, maintaining stronger performance grades at several subject levels in humanities and demonstrating lower failure proportions overall. This affirms the positive impact of continued investment in girl-child education.
However, subject clustering remains gendered, with more female candidates concentrated in the Humanities than in Sciences. It is the Board’s observation that broader participation of both male and female candidates in Science subjects will enhance equity and balance across future professional fields.
The 2025 UACE examination registered comparatively few cases of examination malpractice, reflecting strengthened supervision mechanisms, enhanced security protocols and greater awareness among candidates and schools regarding the consequences of examination malpractice and irregularities. Where cases have been identified, due process will be followed in accordance with Section 38(1) of the UNEB Act Cap 259, and affected candidates will be accorded fair hearings before final decisions are made.