The Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) has released the 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examination results, highlighting trends in candidature, performance, and subject preferences.
Speaking at the results release ceremony, Uneb Chairperson Celestino Obua said the examinations were conducted successfully between November 10 and December 5, 2025.
He noted that a total of 1,402,434 candidates were assessed across the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and UACE, representing a significant increase from the 1,294,731 candidates in 2024.
UACE candidature rose by 17.2%, from 141,996 in 2024 to 166,400 in 2025, reflecting expanded access to post-O-Level education and growing confidence in national assessments.
Professor Obua emphasized that despite the increase in candidate numbers, UNEB maintained grading standards, fairness, and integrity.
Performance patterns remained broadly consistent with previous years, with the Humanities continuing to attract more candidates than the Sciences.
While acknowledging the importance of Humanities in nation-building, Professor Obua urged increased investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education to support industrialization, innovation, and technological advancement.
“Although enrolment in STEM subjects shows a gradual upward trend, deliberate multi-sectoral interventions are required to achieve national targets in science and technology development,” Obua said.
The Uneb chairperson noted that female candidates maintained stronger performance grades than their male counterparts across several subjects, particularly in Humanities, and recorded lower failure rates overall. He stressed that this trend affirms the positive impact of ongoing investment in girl-child education.
However, Prof Obua said female candidates remain largely clustered in Humanities subjects, with broader participation in Sciences still needed to ensure equity across professional fields.
The exams board also reported comparatively few cases of examination malpractice during the 2025 UACE cycle, attributing the improvement to strengthened supervision, enhanced security protocols, and increased awareness among candidates and schools.
Cases that arose will be handled in accordance with UNEB’s statutory procedures, ensuring fairness for affected candidates.
The Board also acknowledged candidates from correctional facilities, including Luzira Upper Prison, whose participation and performance underscore the role of education in rehabilitation and societal reintegration.
As more students qualify for post-UACE institutions, Obua emphasized the importance of matching certification with expanded opportunities in universities, tertiary institutions, technical, and vocational pathways.
“Assessment is not an end in itself; it must translate into productive national participation,” he said.
Professor Obua concluded by thanking the Ministry of Education and Sports, Uneb staff, and other stakeholders for their support.
He also congratulated candidates who performed well and encouraged those whose results fell short of expectations to remain resilient and pursue alternative educational pathways.