KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda National Examinations Board has said the results for the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education examination show improved overall performance compared with 2024, with nearly all candidates who sat qualifying for the certificate.
Speaking during the release of the 2025 UCE results, Executive Director, Dan Nokrach Odongo said the percentage of candidates who did not qualify for the UCE certificate has declined significantly, dropping from 1.9% in 2024 to just 0.31% in 2025. These outcomes are indicated on candidates’ transcripts as either Result 2 or Result 3.
The results were released earlier today by the Education and Sports Minister Janet Museveni.
More candidates, fewer absentees
UNEB said 432,163 candidates registered from 3,975 examination centers, up from 359,417 in 2024. That is an increase of 72,746 candidates, or 20.2%.
Of those registered, 204,292 were male and 227,871 were female. UNEB said 154,642 candidates were under the Universal Secondary Education program, while 277,521 were non USE.
A total of 429,949 candidates were present for the examination in 2025. Only 2,214 candidates were absent, about 0.5%, with UNEB saying absenteeism continues to drop.
Overall results
UNEB said 428,628 candidates, or 99.69% of those who sat, qualified for the UCE certificate and will appear as Result 1 on transcripts.
UNEB reported 1,191 candidates, or 0.28%, were listed as Result 2, while 130 candidates, or 0.03%, were listed as Result 3.
The board said the share of candidates who did not qualify dropped sharply from 1.9% in 2024 to 0.31% in 2025.
UNEB explained that Result 2 covers candidates who did not meet all conditions for an award, such as missing a project score, sitting fewer subjects, or lacking continuous assessment scores. Result 3 is for candidates who scored below basic, grade E, in all subjects.
Special groups
UNEB reported 40 candidates registered at Uganda Government Upper Prison School in Luzira. Thirty nine sat and one was absent, with all who sat qualifying for the certificate.
At Mbarara Main Prison Inmates Secondary School, 12 candidates registered and all sat, with all qualifying for the certificate.
For special needs candidates, UNEB reported 708 candidates in total. It said 695 candidates, or 98.2%, qualified for UCE certificates, while nine candidates, or 1.8%, did not qualify.
What candidates said about the exam
UNEB said it sampled 36,546 candidates from 118 districts to assess views on the exam. It said 49.7% of those surveyed were female.
Among the findings, UNEB reported:
-
96.3% said the questions were within the syllabus
-
74.7% said the time allowed was adequate
-
88.2% said the questions were clearly presented
-
4.7% said the exam was easy, 66.4% said it was fair, and 28.8% said it was difficult
UNEB said the feedback matched the overall pattern of results, with many candidates achieving grade C, described as satisfactory under the competency based reporting system.
Understanding the Geading
- Grading Scale (A-E):
- A (Exceptional): Extraordinary, innovative, and creative application of knowledge.
- B (Outstanding): High level of competency and application.
- C (Satisfactory): Adequate competency.
- D (Basic): Minimum level of competency.
- E (Elementary): Below basic competency.
- Assessment Structure: The final grade consists of 20% from continuous school-based assessment and 80% from the end-of-cycle examination.
- Project Work: Assessed at school and presented separately, showcasing practical, real-life problem-solving skills.
- Result 1: Candidate has passed and qualifies for the certificate
- Result 2: Indicates that a candidate did not fulfil all the conditions for award, for example: Missing a project score, Sitting for fewer subjects than required and Lack of Continuous Assessment (CA) scores
- Result 3: Indicates that a candidate scored below the basic level (Grade E) in all subjects.
