KAMPALA — The Uganda National Examinations Board will release the 2025 Primary Leaving Examination results this Friday, Jan. 30, following a briefing with education officials regarding candidate performance.
The results will be presided over by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, at State House, Nakasero.
UNEB officials met with the minister Wednesday to present the final compilation of results for 817,885 candidates who sat for the examinations in November. This year’s candidature represents a 2.5 percent increase from the 797,444 learners who registered in 2024.
According to board data, female candidates outnumbered their male counterparts, with 428,356 girls compared to 389,529 boys. The majority of learners, approximately 64 percent, were funded under the Universal Primary Education program. Among the candidates were 61 inmates from Upper Prison School Luzira, including seven women.
Jennifer Kalule-Musamba, the UNEB principal public relations officer, said the board has concluded quality assurance processes to ensure a timely release. She noted that the schedule is intended to allow students to enroll in secondary school without delay.
However, Kalule-Musamba warned the public to remain vigilant against fraudsters claiming to be members of the UNEB security committee. These impostors have reportedly targeted school directors and headteachers, offering to alter grades or clear schools of malpractice allegations in exchange for money.
The board does not condone such vices, she said, urging the public to report suspicious activity to the police or use the board’s toll-free lines.
The release of results comes amid significant adjustments to the 2026 academic calendar. The Ministry of Education and Sports recently deferred the general start date for the first term to Feb. 10, citing learner safety during the ongoing general election period.
Education Ministry Permanent Secretary Kedrace Turyagyenda reaffirmed the new dates this week, directing all educational institutions, including universities and international schools, to remain closed until the official reopening.
The revised calendar reduces the first term from 12 weeks to 11, concluding on May 1. This shift has prompted concerns from education leaders regarding the loss of instruction time.
George Ladaah Openjuru, vice chancellor of Gulu University, said the delay will likely push the end of the second semester to July, leaving students with only a one-week break before the next academic year begins in August.
Under the ministry guidelines, school days must strictly run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for primary and secondary levels. Turyagyenda warned that school heads who fail to adhere to the approved calendar or attempt to teach during designated holidays without written permission will face disciplinary action.
