The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has announced the 2024 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results, revealing a significant increase in candidature. UNEB chairperson, Prof. Celestino Obua, reported that the number of candidates has grown from 110,566 in 2023 to nearly 142,000, marking an increase of 31,430 candidates (28.4%).
The chairperson also highlighted that the 2024 UACE examination saw the lowest incidence of examination malpractice when compared to both the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) and Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams. As a result, very few results will be withheld.
A total of 141,996 candidates registered for the 2024 UACE, with 61,957 (43.6%) females and 80,039 (56.4%) males. In terms of performance, 54,338 candidates achieved three principal passes, the highest possible accomplishment. This was followed by 37,985 candidates with two principal passes, 29,233 with one principal pass, and 17,750 with one subsidiary pass. Overall, 98.8% of candidates passed the examination, a slight decline from the 99.2% pass rate in 2023. A total of 1,632 candidates failed the exam, compared to 865 in 2023.
UNEB Executive Director Daniel Odongo noted that 92,274 candidates who passed the examination now qualify for university admission. Traditionally, university degree courses require at least two principal level passes as the minimum qualification. “If this requirement is maintained, 92,273 candidates (65.5%) qualify for university admission, compared to 80,816 (73.8%) in 2023,” Odongo explained, noting the significant increase in entries for the 2024 exam.
He added that to accommodate these candidates, an additional 11,457 university spaces must be made available. “If one principal pass and two subsidiary passes are accepted for admission to other tertiary institutions, 121,506 candidates (86.2%) will qualify.”
The results also showed notable improvements in the performance of candidates in economics, literature in English, physics, and biology. However, there were significant drops in performance in subjects such as Entrepreneurship Education, Christian Religious Education, Geography, Mathematics, Agriculture, and Chemistry.
Female candidates outperformed their male counterparts at the principal level (A-E) across all humanities subjects, as well as in physics and the general paper. UNEB also observed a gradual increase in the number of candidates registering for Mathematics and the Sciences, with Mathematics showing the most promising trend.
Candidates and their families can access the results via mobile phones by sending a text. To check results, go to the ‘Message’ menu, type UACE followed by a space and the correct index number (e.g., U0000/001), and send it to 6600.
