The changes come as the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) reports improved overall performance in the 2025 examination.
According to UNEB, a total of 432,163 candidates registered for the 2025 UCE exams across 3,975 centres, reflecting a significant increase from 359,417 candidates in 2024.
According to UNEB, a total of 432,163 candidates registered for the 2025 UCE exams across 3,975 centres, reflecting a significant increase from 359,417 candidates in 2024.
This represents a growth of more than 20 percent, showing rising enrolment and retention at the secondary level.
Of the registered candidates, 204,292 were male while 227,871 were female, meaning girls accounted for the majority of learners.
The board also reported that 99.5 percent of candidates sat the exams, with absenteeism dropping to just 0.5 percent, continuing a positive trend observed in recent years.
Shift from Numbers to Competency Levels
The most notable change is the move from the traditional stanine system (1–9) to a letter-based grading scale that focuses on competency. Under the new structure, performance is measured using five achievement levels:
A – Exceptional: Demonstrates advanced understanding and ability to apply knowledge creatively in real-life situations.
B – Outstanding: Shows strong mastery and effective application of skills.
C – Satisfactory: Indicates adequate understanding and practical use of knowledge.
D – Basic: Reflects minimum competency.
E – Elementary: Shows performance below the expected basic level.
Education officials say the new system is designed to focus more on what learners can do with their knowledge, rather than simply how much content they can recall.
Continuous Assessment Now Matters
Another major change is the way final grades are calculated. Student performance now combines:
80 percent from the final national examination
20 percent from Continuous Assessment conducted at school
UNEB explained that achievement levels are determined using statistical and psychometric methods to ensure fairness and consistency across all candidates.
The board believes this approach gives a more complete picture of a learner’s abilities and encourages continuous learning throughout the school cycle.
Improved Results in 2025
The results released on Friday show a strong performance overall. UNEB announced that 428,628 candidates, representing 99.69 percent, qualified for the UCE certificate.
“This will appear on the transcript and certificate as Result One,” said UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo during the official release at State Lodge in Nakasero.
The proportion of candidates who did not qualify dropped significantly from 1.9 percent in 2024 to just 0.31 percent in 2025.
Education experts say the improvement suggests that schools and teachers are gradually adapting to the demands of the competency-based curriculum.
USE Participation and Access
Out of the candidates who sat the exams, 35.8 percent were beneficiaries of the government’s Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme, while 64.2 percent were privately sponsored.
Officials say the growing number of candidates reflects improved access to secondary education, although stakeholders continue to call for more resources to support effective CBC implementation.
How to Access Results
Schools can download results directly from their examination centre portals. UNEB noted that printed copies will be available later for institutions that require them.
Parents and candidates can also check results via SMS by:
Opening the message menu
Typing UCE followed by a space and the candidate’s full index number
Sending the message to 6600 on MTN or Airtel
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