Western Region, Uganda: Ntungamo and Kisoro municipalities emerged among Uganda’s top performers in the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) after registering zero failures, a milestone education leaders attribute to years of deliberate planning, teamwork and community involvement.
According to official data, Ntungamo Municipality registered 648 candidates, all of whom sat the examinations, recording 100 per cent attendance with no absentees. Of these, 304 candidates (46.9%) passed in Division One, 328 (50.6%) in Division Two, 12 in Division Three and four in Division Four.
Ntungamo Municipal Inspector of Schools Gladys Turyatemba said the results are the outcome of a long-term reform strategy launched in 2015 dubbed Peer Group Management (PGM).
“Under PGM, teachers from both government and private schools meet at the beginning of every term to analyse performance, identify gaps and agree on improvement strategies,” Turyatemba said.
She explained that the model uses selected schools as focal centres, conducts joint inspections led by high-performing teachers, and follows up assessments with structured feedback. The approach, she added, has strengthened leadership among teachers while actively involving learners in evaluating teaching effectiveness.
Turyatemba stressed that excellence in Ntungamo is measured beyond grades. “We also assess sanitation, hygiene and other non-academic standards because quality education is holistic,” she said.
Primary teacher Denis Mbasiime of Ruhoko Primary School told Uganda Radio Network that early preparation, consistency and shared responsibility among teachers have been critical to sustained success.
At Ntungamo Primary School, Headmistress Allen Komuhangi said the school prioritises learner welfare, including nutrition.
“Parents contribute a small fee for lunch, while children who cannot afford it bring packed meals from home. Teacher attendance is also strictly enforced,” Komuhangi said.
Education experts note that such school feeding arrangements are linked to improved concentration, reduced absenteeism and better performance, particularly among girls.
Kisoro matches zero-failure feat
Kisoro Municipality also posted zero failures, with all 765 candidates who sat PLE passing the examinations. Of these, 348 candidates (45.5%) scored Division One.
The Municipal Education Officer Emmanuel Sabitti credited the performance to strong collaboration among teachers, parents and school managers. “We instilled discipline, confidence and commitment in learners. While this performance is commendable, we are working to sustain and even improve it,” Sabitti said.
At Amazing Grace Primary School, Director and Diocese of Muhabura Education Secretary Rev. Hebert Mujabwami said parental support ensured pupils studied without shortages.
He urged parents to continue investing in learners by enrolling them in good secondary schools to maintain the momentum.
One of the top performers, Severin Ainembabazi (13), scored eight aggregates. She thanked her teachers and parents and said she hopes to pursue a career in surgery.
At Ineza Parents Primary School, Head Teacher Joan Namara said all 20 candidates passed in Division One, marking the first time the school has achieved a 100 per cent Division One result.
Western Uganda leads nationally
Overall, Western Uganda dominated the 2025 PLE, registering some of the lowest failure rates nationwide. Rukungiri Municipality recorded only one failure out of 1,172 candidates, with over 80 per cent scoring in Divisions One and Two.
In Kiruhura District, 22 out of 3,358 candidates failed (0.7%), while Buhweju District registered 10 failures out of 2,323 candidates (0.4%). Bushenyi Municipality recorded 10 failures out of 1,749, and Mbarara District had 19 failures out of 3,517 candidates.
Outside the region, Moroto District posted seven failures out of 935 candidates (0.8%), Kalangala District had six failures out of 556 (1.1%), while Kotido Municipality recorded three failures out of 440 candidates (0.7%).
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