KAMPALA — A total of 113,291 candidates who sat the 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations have qualified for university admission, according to results released by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).
The results, announced at State House Nakasero, show that 68.6 percent of candidates attained at least two principal passes, the minimum requirement for admission to degree programmes. This marks an improvement from 92,273 candidates (65.5 percent) who qualified in 2024.
UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo said overall performance improved in 2025, with more students attaining principal level passes compared to the previous year.
Girls perform better in many subjects
Although male candidates continued to outnumber females at the A-Level stage, the results show that female candidates performed better overall in several subjects.
According to UNEB, girls registered stronger results at the principal level pass (A–E) in most Humanities subjects, as well as in Mathematics, Physics, General Paper, Subsidiary Mathematics and Subsidiary ICT.
However, boys maintained an advantage at the highest distinction level, with more A grades in Mathematics and Science subjects.
UNEB also noted that fewer girls continue to enroll in Science and Mathematics subjects, reflecting the overall trend where female candidates remain fewer than males at the UACE level.
Candidate numbers rise sharply
A total of 166,400 candidates registered for the 2025 examinations, up from 141,996 candidates in 2024, representing an increase of 24,404 candidates (17.2 percent).
Of those registered, 72,764 (43.7 percent) were female, while 93,636 (56.3 percent) were male.
The number of candidates who actually sat the examinations stood at 165,172, compared to 140,884 in 2024.
Among those who sat the exams, 72,374 (43.8 percent) were female and 92,798 (56.2 percent) were male.
UNEB said the number of examination centres also increased from 2,255 in 2024 to 2,452 in 2025, reflecting the rising number of candidates.
More students qualify for further education
Overall, 68.9 percent of candidates qualified for the UACE certificate, which requires at least a subsidiary pass in a principal subject.
If admission criteria for other tertiary institutions—such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes—are considered, 145,129 candidates (87.9 percent) would qualify for further studies with one principal and two subsidiary passes.
UNEB said the growing number of candidates qualifying for university admission means about 21,018 additional university places may be needed to accommodate the increase.
Performance trends
The board reported improvements in several subjects, including Mathematics, Chemistry, Agriculture, Geography and Economics. Performance also improved in Biology and Literature in English.
However, declines were recorded in Entrepreneurship Education, Christian Religious Education, Fine Art and Physics.
UNEB noted that while Science subject grades improved overall, many candidates still face challenges due to limited practical exposure and difficulty applying theoretical knowledge to real-life situations.
In Humanities subjects, the board cited poor interpretation of examination questions and weak analytical skills as some of the key factors affecting performance.
UNEB said detailed subject reports will be sent to schools to help teachers address learning gaps and improve future performance.
