Kampala, Uganda: The Minister of Education and Sports, First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni, has officially released the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results, with candidates posting a record 99.69 per cent qualification rate under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The results, unveiled Friday, February 13, at State House, Nakasero, confirm growing stability and improved performance in the second cohort assessed under the new lower secondary curriculum framework.
According to official figures released by Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), 432,163 candidates from 3,975 examination centres registered for the 2025 UCE examinations — an increase of 72,746 candidates (20.2%) from the 359,417 registered in 2024.
Of these, 429,949 candidates (99.5%) sat the examinations, while 2,214 (0.5%) were absent, reflecting continued improvement in candidate retention and participation.
UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo announced that 428,628 candidates (99.69%) 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.
“The percentage of candidates who did not qualify for the UCE certificate has declined significantly,” Odongo said.
Candidates who fully met the award requirements will have “Result 1” indicated on their transcripts and certificates. Those who failed to meet certain conditions — such as missing Continuous Assessment (CA) scores or sitting fewer subjects — will receive “Result 2,” while candidates who scored below Grade E in all subjects will receive “Result 3.”
Of the total registered candidates, 227,871 (52.7%) were female, while 204,292 (47.3%) were male. USE beneficiaries accounted for 154,642 candidates (35.8%), while 277,521 (64.2%) were non-USE candidates. The steady rise in candidature signals expanding access to secondary education across the country.
UNEB Chairperson Prof. Celestino Obua said the 2025 examination cycle demonstrated stronger institutional capacity compared to the first CBC cohort in 2024.
“Whereas in 2024 UNEB was treading on new ground, the 2025 terrain proved far more familiar,” Prof. Obua said, commending the Board’s staff for professionalism in delivering the results.
He cited findings from a UNEB-commissioned study assessing how learners under the CBC differ from those under the former content-based curriculum.
According to the study, CBC learners demonstrate stronger research skills, construct knowledge independently, exhibit improved creativity and innovation, communicate more effectively and show enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
“These outcomes confirm that the CBC is a transformative curriculum capable of producing the type of Ugandans needed for socio-economic transformation,” Prof. Obua noted.
Under the CBC, performance is graded using achievement levels A, B, C, D, and E. Final scores are determined through: Continuous Assessment (CA) – 20% and End-of-Cycle Examination – 80%.
UNEB officials said the grading process involved rigorous statistical and psychometric analysis to ensure fairness and accuracy.
Special Needs Candidates Supported
A total of 708 Special Needs Education (SNE) candidates registered for the 2025 exams, including blind, deaf, dyslexic and physically handicapped learners. Only four SNE candidates were absent.
UNEB provided Braille materials, enlarged print papers, sign language interpreters, support personnel and an additional 45 minutes per paper to ensure inclusivity and fairness.
Education officials say the improved results, declining absenteeism and higher qualification rate demonstrate that the CBC reform is steadily gaining ground nationwide.
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