The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results, marking the second set of outcomes under the new competency-based curriculum.
Under this system, students are assessed using both Continuous Assessment from school work and the final national examinations. The two scores are combined to produce a final grade for each subject. Performance is reported using letter grades from A to E, which measure a learner’s level of competence rather than ranking candidates in divisions as was done in the past.
To qualify for the UCE certificate, a candidate must obtain at least a grade D in one subject. Those who fail to meet this requirement receive “Result 2” on their transcript, meaning they did not meet minimum subject or assessment requirements.
Candidate numbers and attendance
A total of 432,163 candidates registered for the 2025 examinations at 3,975 centres, an increase of more than 72,000 candidates compared to 2024. Of these, 204,292 were males and 227,871 were females.
Candidates under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme were 154,642, while 277,521 were non-USE students.
Attendance was very high, with 429,949 candidates (99.5%) sitting the examinations. Only 2,214 candidates were absent.
Overall performance
The results show a strong improvement in qualification rates. A total of 428,628 candidates, representing 99.69% of those who sat, qualified for the UCE certificate.
The proportion of candidates who did not qualify dropped sharply from 1.9% in 2024 to just 0.31% in 2025.
Cases of examination malpractice remained low, with only 63 incidents recorded nationwide.
Special groups
Performance among candidates in prison schools was also notable. At Uganda Government Upper Prison School in Luzira, 39 out of 40 registered candidates sat the exams and all qualified for the certificate. At Mbarara Main Prison Inmates’ Secondary School, all 12 registered candidates sat and qualified.
A total of 708 learners with Special Needs Education registered for the examinations, including candidates who are blind, deaf, dyslexic, physically disabled, have low vision or require extra time.
The competency-based curriculum focuses on what learners can do with the knowledge and skills they acquire, rather than how they compare with others. UNEB says this approach is intended to better prepare students for further education, training and employment.
The Senior Five selection exercise will be conducted from February 18–19. Senior Five students are expected to report for the first term on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
