UNEB Releases UACE With many candidates Qualify for University
By Our Reporter
The Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) officially released the results for the 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) on March 13, 2026, marking a significant milestone in Uganda’s educational calendar.
The release was announced by the Minister of Education and Sports also First Lady, Janet Museveni.
In Lango among the top-performing schools are Wisdom High, St. Gracious, Mentor, and Dara Christian High. AtWisdom High, out of 438 candidates, 8 students scored 20 points, 16 achieved 19 points, and 21 secured 18 points.
Other notable results include 29 students with 17 points, 51 with 16 points, and 61 with 14 points. Meanwhile, St. Gracious recorded 25 students with 20 points, 18 with 19 points, and 21 with 18 points, among other impressive performances.
A total of 166,400 candidates registered for the 2025 UACE exams, a 17.2% increase from 141,996 in 2024. Of these, 72,764 (43.7%) were female and 93,636 (56.3%) were male. The number of examination centers also rose from 2,255 in 2024 to 2,452 in 2025, making the exams more accessible to candidates across the country.
Despite a slight decrease in absenteeism (0.7% in 2025 compared to 0.8% in 2024), the number of candidates who actually sat the exams increased significantly.
According to UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo, the number of candidates sitting the exams rose by 71% from 96,557 in 2022 to 165,172 in 2025.
The 2025 UACE results showed overall improvements across various subjects, including Mathematics, Chemistry, Agriculture, Geography, Economics, Biology, and Literature in English. A total of 113,291 candidates (68.6%) qualified for university admission, up from 92,273 candidates (65.5%) in 2024, marking a 3.1 percentage point increase.
· Pass Rates:
o 41.7% of candidates achieved a 3 Principal pass (3P)
o 26.9% earned a 2 Principal pass (2P)
o 19.3% secured a 1 Principal pass (1P)
o 11% achieved a Subsidiary pass (1S)
o Only 1.1% of candidates failed to qualify for the UACE certificate.
These improvements suggest that more students than ever before are now eligible for higher education opportunities, particularly at degree level. For other tertiary institutions, such as TVET colleges, 145,129 candidates (87.9%) qualify with one Principal pass and two Subsidiary passes.
Female candidates outperformed their male counterparts in many subjects, especially in Humanities, Mathematics, General Paper, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). However, male candidates scored higher in Mathematics and Science subjects, reflecting the ongoing gender disparity in STEM fields. While female participation in these subjects is rising, male students still dominate in these areas.
A total of 540 candidates from Special Needs Education (SNE) participated in the exams, with an almost equal gender split. Their performance was commendable, with most securing Principal and Subsidiary passes, underscoring UNEB’s efforts to promote inclusivity in education.
The 2025 UACE results reflect continued improvements in Uganda’s education system. With more candidates qualifying for university and other tertiary institutions, the country is making significant strides in educational accessibility and quality. The rise in the number of candidates and the improvements in performance highlight the resilience of Uganda’s education system, particularly in the post-COVID era.
