UNEB releases UCE 2025 results, failure rate declines significantly -

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has today released the Uganda Certificate of Education results for 2025.

‎The event which took place at State Lodge Nakasero, was officiated by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni.

‎The Executive Director of UNEB, Mr. Dan Odongo said a total of 432,163 candidates from 3,975 examination centres registered for the UCE 2025 examinations, compared to 359,417 candidates in 2024, representing an increase of 72,746 candidates (20.2%).

‎He compared the general candidates’ performance for the 2025 and 2024 UCE Examinations Under the Competency-Based Curriculum, explaining that the candidate performance is reported using achievement levels represented by the letter grades A, B, C, D, and E.

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‎“The achievement levels for each subject were determined through systematic, technical processes involving statistical and psychometric analysis. These processes integrate: Continuous Assessment (CA) conducted at school level — 20% contribution, End-of-Cycle Examination score — 80% contribution,” he said.

‎Mr. Odongo said this combined assessment approach ensures a balanced and holistic evaluation of learner performance under the competency-based framework.

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‎He also noted that the percentage of candidates who did not qualify for the UCE certificate has declined significantly, dropping from 1.9% in 2024 to just 0.31% in 2025.

‎“These outcomes will be indicated on candidates’ transcripts as either Result 2 or Result 3, defined as follows:

‎Result 2: Indicates that a candidate did not fulfil all the conditions for award, for example: Missing a project score

‎Sitting for fewer subjects than required

‎Result 3: Indicates that a candidate. scored below the basic level (Grade E) in all subjects.”

‎On examination malpractice, Mr. Odongo said cases of examination malpractice at this level remain minimal, with only 63 cases reported.

‎“The nature and design of the examination items do not easily lend themselves to malpractice.”

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‎Prof. Celestino Obua- UNEB chairperson said whereas in 2024 UNEB was treading on new ground, the 2025 terrain proved far more familiar, with significantly improved institutional capacity.

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‎“I sincerely commend the Executive Director and staff for their dedication and professionalism, which has enabled the successful release of the results of the second cohort of candidates under the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC),” he said.

‎“During the release of the 2024 examination results, I stated that the Competence-Based Curriculum was a good and progressive reform. This assessment was based on insights gathered through interactions with various stakeholders.”

‎He added that last year, the Board undertook a comprehensive study to obtain empirical evidence on the benefits of the CBC from the perspectives of school administrators, teachers, and learners themselves.

‎This study was further informed by your directive to address a legitimate and important question: How do learners under the CBC differ from those under the former content-based curriculum?” Prof. Obua said.

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‎“The findings provide a clear and convincing answer. The results confirm that the CBC is a strong, transformative curriculum, well-positioned to produce the type of Ugandans needed to drive the country’s socio-economic transformation and advance Uganda toward its middle-income status vision.”