Rise in Science and Mathematics Entries Highlight 2025 UACE Results

NATIONAL: Rise in Science and Mathematics Entries Highlight 2025 UACE Results

BY DOREEN GRACE ACIPA

The 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results have registered a significant rise in candidature and improved performance, with education authorities noting increased interest in science and mathematics subjects.

Speaking during the release of the 2025 UACE results on Friday March 13, 2026 at State House Nakasero, the Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni called on education sector stakeholders to further support the growing interest in sciences as Uganda pursues its national industrial development ambitions.

The minister said the examination report shows a steady increase in the number of learners taking science and mathematics subjects, describing the trend as encouraging for the country’s future development.

She also revealed that the number of candidates qualifying for university admission has increased significantly, with about 21,000 more learners eligible for placement compared to 2024.

The First Lady assured candidates and parents that there are sufficient places in both public and private tertiary institutions to absorb the growing number of successful candidates.

Girls increasingly embracing sciences

The Ministry of Education and Sports also reports a steady rise in the number of girls taking science subjects, with many performing remarkably well in the examinations.

According to the minister, this progress demonstrates that Mathematics and Sciences are achievable for all learners, urging teachers, parents and other education stakeholders to actively motivate learners to pursue these subjects.

She further emphasized that education should not only focus on acquiring knowledge but also on using knowledge to drive creativity, production and solutions to community challenges.

Curriculum review underway

The ministry has also embarked on a comprehensive review of the UACE curriculum following observed changes in learning behavior among students studying under the new competency-based lower secondary curriculum.

The review, led by the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), aims to remove unnecessary content and duplication across subjects while aligning teaching approaches with the competency-based framework.

The reforms are intended to ensure a smooth transition from the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) level to A-Level studies.

The minister also encouraged candidates who may not be satisfied with their results to consider reattempting examinations or explore other education pathways, including technical and vocational training institutions.

She noted that graduates from technical institutions are in high demand in industries and are capable of creating their own jobs.

Increase in candidature

The Executive Director of the Uganda National Examinations Board, Dan Odong, presented the statistical analysis of the examination results.

He revealed that 166,400 candidates registered for the 2025 UACE examinations, compared to 141,996 candidates in 2024, representing an increase of 24,404 candidates (17.2%).

Of those registered, 72,764 (43.7%) were females, while 93,636 (56.3%) were males.

The number of examination centres also increased from 2,255 in 2024 to 2,452 in 2025, reflecting growing access to A-Level education.

Candidates who actually sat for the exams were 165,172, compared to 140,884 in 2024, marking another 17.2% increase.

Performance and university qualification

According to UNEB, 98.9% of candidates qualified for the UACE certificate.

Based on the current university admission requirement of two principal passes, 113,291 candidates (68.6%) qualify for degree programmes, compared to 92,273 (65.5%) in 2024.

For other tertiary institutions such as TVET colleges that admit candidates with one principal pass and two subsidiary passes, 145,129 candidates (87.9%) qualify for admission.

UNEB also reports that entries in science subjects and mathematics have been steadily increasing over the years, except for Physics.

Decline in absenteeism and malpractice

UNEB reports that absenteeism among candidates continues to decline.

Only 1,228 candidates (0.7%) missed the 2025 examinations, compared to 1,108 (0.8%) in 2024.

Additionally, 70 prison inmates from Uganda Government Upper Prison Luzira registered for the examination, with 68 sitting the papers.

However, UNEB says results from 351 candidates from 47 centres have been withheld due to suspected examination malpractice.

Common cases include unauthorized materials, impersonation and receiving assistance during practical examinations.

Integrity of examinations maintained

The UNEB Board Chairperson Celestino Obua said the board has maintained the integrity of grading standards despite fluctuations in candidate numbers.

He added that the declining number of candidates who register but fail to sit examinations indicates improved supervision and stronger completion rates in schools.

The board also plans to engage district education authorities to sanction schools involved in examination malpractice.

Overall, UNEB registered 1,402,434 candidates across the three national examinations (PLE, UCE and UACE) in 2025, compared to 1,294,731 in 2024, highlighting the continued expansion of Uganda’s education system.