KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda National Examinations Board has shifted to a digital-first distribution model for the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education results, directing parents and candidates to mobile and online platforms to access scores.
Executive Director Dan N. Odongo announced during the Friday release that hard copies of results are not currently available at the UNEB offices in Kyambogo. Instead, the board has uploaded all results directly to examination center portals, allowing headteachers to download and print them immediately.
For parents and students seeking instant access, UNEB has activated a mobile SMS service on the MTN and Airtel networks. To check results, users should go to the messages menu on a mobile phone, type UCE, leave a space, type the candidate’s full index number and send the message to 6600.
The digital rollout comes as UNEB celebrates a record-breaking performance for the second cohort of students under the Competency Based Curriculum. Data shows that 99.69% of the 429,949 candidates who sat for the exams qualified for the UCE certificate. The national failure rate plummeted to just 0.31%, down from 1.9% in 2024.
A total of 432,163 candidates registered for the 2025 examinations, representing a 20.2% increase in candidature. The results reflect a new grading system where 20% of the final mark is derived from continuous assessment at the school level and 80% from the final UNEB examination.
Achievement levels improved significantly in English language, geography and Christian religious education. While science results showed that fewer students are failing to reach basic competency, examiners noted that many candidates still struggle to apply laboratory scenarios to real-life situations.
The board also confirmed high qualification rates among special groups. Of the 708 registered special needs candidates, 98.2% qualified for certificates. Additionally, nearly all inmates who sat for the exams at Luzira and Mbarara prisons were successful.
While the examinations were largely successful, UNEB flagged 63 cases of malpractice, primarily involving teachers providing results for science practicals.
Heads of examination centers have 21 working days from the date of release to submit queries regarding name spellings or dates of birth through the digital portals. Queries submitted after this period may not be addressed.
To check the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results on your mobile phone, follow these steps as outlined by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB):
Step-by-Step SMS Instructions
- Open the Messages app on your phone.
- Go to Compose New Message.
- Type the keyword UCE in capital letters.
- Leave a space.
- Type the candidate’s full index number (e.g., U1234/567).
- Send the message to 6600.
Example Message: UCE U1234/567
Important Details to Note
- Service Cost: Each SMS results request costs UGX 500. Ensure you have enough airtime on your phone before sending.
- Supported Networks: This service is available on both MTN and Airtel
- Delivery: Your results will be sent to your mobile phone instantly after the message is processed.
- Issues: If you do not receive a reply immediately, the system may be overloaded. Wait a few minutes and try again.
