KAMPALA (AFP) – A total of 141,996 candidates registered for the 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations, with 140,888 turning up to sit for the exams.
According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNE), the overall pass rate stood at 98.8 percent, a slight decline from 99.2 percent recorded in 2023.
UNEB Executive Director Daniel Odongo released the results at State Lodge Nakasero on Friday, noting that 139,256 candidates qualified for the UNEB UACE certificate after achieving at least a subsidiary pass in a principal subject.
In terms of performance, 54,338 candidates attained three principal passes, the highest possible achievement. This was followed by 37,985 candidates who passed with two principal passes, 29,233 with one principal pass, and 17,750 with one subsidiary pass.
A total of 1,632 candidates failed the examination, compared to 865 in 2023.
Odongo further noted that 92,274 candidates who passed the examination qualify to join universities, requiring an additional 11,457 university places.
Traditionally, university admissions to degree courses have required at least two principal level passes as the minimum qualification. “If this requirement is maintained, 92,273 candidates (65.5 percent) qualify for university admission, compared to 80,816 (73.8 percent) in 2023,” Odongo said.
He added that if one principal pass and two subsidiary passes are accepted for admission to other tertiary institutions, 121,506 candidates (86.2 percent) will qualify.
