A nationwide survey has revealed strong approval from candidates who sat the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, with the majority describing the papers as fair, relevant, and clearly structured. The findings were released by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) following a structured post-examination assessment carried out across the country.
Presenting the results, UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo explained that the feedback was collected from a scientifically selected sample of 36,546 candidates across 118 districts. Nearly half of the respondents—49.7 percent—were female, ensuring balanced representation. The exercise aimed to evaluate key aspects of exam quality directly from the learners’ perspective.
To ensure genuine responses, selected candidates completed short questionnaires immediately after leaving the examination rooms. The survey was conducted over a two-week period, capturing views from students who sat different subjects on various dates. UNEB said this approach helped paint an accurate picture of candidate experiences nationwide.
Data from the survey shows that 96.3 percent of respondents confirmed that the questions were drawn from the approved syllabus. Additionally, 88.2 percent said the papers were clearly presented and easy to follow, while 74.7 percent felt that the time provided was adequate to complete their work.
On the matter of difficulty, most candidates felt the balance was appropriate. About 66.4 percent rated the exams as fair, 28.8 percent considered them difficult, and a small fraction—4.7 percent—found them easy. The responses suggest that while the exams challenged learners, they remained within reasonable academic expectations.
The survey outcomes align with overall performance trends under the Competency-Based Curriculum. According to UNEB, the largest proportion of candidates achieved Grade C, categorized as Satisfactory, indicating adequate mastery of required skills and knowledge. The grading system spans from Grade A, which signifies exceptional performance, to Grade E, representing elementary competency.
Participation levels in the 2025 examinations remained high. A total of 432,163 candidates registered from 3,975 examination centres across the country. Of these, 227,871 were female and 204,292 were male, with an impressive 99.5 percent of registered candidates present for the exams.
UNEB further reported improved overall outcomes compared to the previous year, noting that 99.69 percent of candidates obtained Result 1 in 2025, up from 98.1 percent in 2024. The Board emphasized that these results reinforce confidence in the national assessment system and the continued implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum.
