While releasing the results on March 13, 2026, UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo said female candidates proportionally performed better at the principal pass level of A to E in most Humanities subjects. They also performed well in Mathematics, Physics, General Paper, Subsidiary Mathematics and Subsidiary ICT.
However, Odongo said male candidates recorded more A grades in Mathematics and Science subjects. He noted that female entries in Sciences and Mathematics remain lower than those of males.
He said the number of female candidates at this level continues to remain lower than that of male candidates.
According to UNEB, a total of 166,400 candidates registered for the 2025 UACE examinations, compared to 141,996 candidates in 2024. This represents an increase of 24,404 candidates, equivalent to 17.2 percent.
Of those registered, 72,764 candidates were female, representing 43.7 percent, while 93,636 candidates were male, representing 56.3 percent.
A total of 165,172 candidates eventually sat the examinations, compared to 140,884 candidates in 2024. Among those who sat the exams, 72,374 were female and 92,798 were male.
The number of examination centres also increased from 2,255 in 2024 to 2,452 in 2025.
UNEB chairperson Prof Celestino Obua said the board assessed 1,402,434 candidates for certification across the three national examinations in 2025. These include the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and UACE. The figure increased from 1,294,731 candidates in 2024.
Obua said the growth in UACE candidature reflects expanding access to post-O-Level education and increasing public confidence in national examinations.
He added that female candidates continue to perform well in several subjects, especially in the Humanities, and generally record lower failure rates than male candidates.
However, Obua said subject selection remains gendered, with more female candidates opting for Humanities while fewer pursue Science subjects.
A total of 540 candidates with Special Needs Education registered for the 2025 examinations. These included 274 males and 266 females. The number increased from 437 candidates in 2024.
