BREAKING!! Uganda’s 2025 National Exams, Timetables Announced and Participation Rises

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the official timetable for the 2025 national exams. The schedule covers the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE).

According to UNEB, the UCE exams will begin on October 13, followed by PLE on November 3, and UACE on November 10. Before the exams, candidates must attend mandatory briefings: October 10 for UCE, October 31 for PLE, and November 7 for UACE.

A total of 1,416,468 students have registered for the 2025 exams. This represents a 7.5% increase from 2024, when 1,308,998 candidates took part. UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo reported that 51.5% of candidates are female, while 48.5% are male.

The PLE category has seen a modest increase, rising from 797,444 candidates in 2024 to 818,010 this year. This is a 2.5% growth compared to last year.

UCE exams have recorded a bigger increase. This year, 432,025 candidates are registered, up from 379,699 in 2024. This represents a 12.1% rise in the number of students taking UCE.

UACE has seen the highest growth, with 166,433 candidates registered compared to 141,996 last year. This is a 14.7% increase, showing growing interest in advanced-level education.

Special Needs Education (SNE) candidates also increased slightly, from 4,587 in 2024 to 4,802 this year. Among them, 3,619 will sit for PLE, 670 for UCE, and 513 for UACE.

Regarding funding, just over half of the candidates—719,016 students—are supported by the government under the Universal Education Programs. The remaining 697,452 are privately sponsored.

The rise in candidates reflects a growing demand for education across Uganda. More students are enrolling and sitting for national exams each year, highlighting the importance of learning for the country’s future.

UNEB’s timetable and registration figures show the government’s continued commitment to expanding access to education. With more students taking these exams, Uganda is making progress toward ensuring that all children and young adults have the opportunity to learn and succeed.