Kampala, Uganda.
Uganda has achieved a landmark in education, with 99.6% of candidates passing the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations. The results were released at State House Nakasero by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni.
A total of 429,949 students sat for the exams in 2025, a sharp rise from 357,120 in 2024. Of these, all qualified for the UCE certificate, compared to 350,146 passes the previous year. The overall pass rate climbed from 98.1% to 99.6%, while the proportion of candidates failing dropped dramatically from 1.9% to just 0.31%.
The improved performance reflects the impact of Uganda’s competency-based curriculum, which emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-life application. Under the new grading system, candidates who qualify receive Result 1, while those missing requirements or scoring below basic levels are awarded Result 2 or Result 3 respectively.
Performance gains were notable in Christian Religious Education, Geography, and English Language, with more students achieving grades of C and above, particularly in sciences. UNEB Executive Director Dan N. Odongo described the trend as “quite encouraging,” noting fewer students failed to reach grade D in science subjects.
Despite progress, examiners highlighted challenges in science practicals, where many candidates struggled to interpret scenarios or draw meaningful conclusions. UNEB urged teachers to strengthen guidance, stressing that the curriculum is “not merely about learning facts, but training the mind to think.”
The 2025 UCE results mark a historic milestone for Uganda’s education system, combining record pass rates with stronger subject performance. The next challenge, officials say, is ensuring learners graduate not only with certificates but with the skills essential for life beyond the classroom.
