The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the 2025 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results, showing an improvement in overall performance compared to 2024.
According to the results, more candidates passed in Division One in 2025 than in 2024, recording an increase of 7,689 candidates. Overall, 7,503 more candidates passed the PLE in 2025 compared to the previous year.
The UNEB Executive Director, Mr. Daniel Odong, officially presented the results to the Minister of Education and Sports, who is also the First Lady, Mrs. Janet Kataaha Museveni, at the Nakaseke State Lodge.
A total of 817,883 candidates from 15,388 examination centres registered for the 2025 PLE, compared to 797,444 candidates in 2024. Of these, 522,036 candidates (63.8%) from 11,525 centres were beneficiaries of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme, while 295,847 candidates (36.2%) from 3,863 centres were non-UPE candidates.
Gender analysis shows that 389,469 boys (47.6%) and 428,324 girls (52.4%) were registered in 2025, indicating that more girls than boys completed the primary education cycle. This trend has persisted in recent years. In 2024, girls accounted for 52.5% of registered candidates, while boys made up 47.5%.
UNEB also registered 3,636 learners with special needs in 2025, an increase of 308 candidates (9.3%) from the 3,328 registered in 2024. These included learners who are blind, deaf, physically challenged, and dyslexic. Female candidates accounted for 48.3% of the special needs candidates, while males constituted 51.7%. UNEB attributes the steady increase in special needs candidates to heightened awareness in schools, supported by the Ministry of Education and Sports.
In addition, 101 prison inmates registered for the 2025 PLE. Sixty-one candidates (54 males and 7 females) were from Uganda Government Upper Prison, Luzira, while 40 candidates (39 males and 1 female) were from Mbarara Main Prison.
At Luzira Upper Prison School, 58 of the 61 registered candidates sat for the examination. Of these, 4 passed in Division One, 27 in Division Two, 13 in Division Three, 5 in Division Four, while 9 were ungraded. Three candidates did not sit the examination. At Mbarara Main Prison Inmates Primary School, 39 candidates sat for the exams. Seven obtained Division One, 15 Division Two, 10 Division Three, 5 Division Four, and 2 were ungraded.
UNEB reported that examination materials were safely delivered to all centres, thanks to the collaboration of Chief Administrative Officers, district education officials, local governments, and the Uganda Police Force.
However, the Board expressed concern over increasing cases of examination malpractice, noting that some school directors and headteachers have resorted to bribing or threatening invigilators to allow teachers to assist candidates during examinations. UNEB further noted with concern that some district education officials have become complicit in these unprofessional practices.
In line with Section 5(2)(b) of the UNEB Act, Cap 259, the Board has withheld results of affected candidates pending completion of investigations. Where a prima facie case is established, affected candidates will be granted a fair hearing by the UNEB Examinations Security Committee before final decisions are made.
Most malpractice cases in 2025 were reported from Kisoro, Kampala, Mukono, Namutumba, Kassanda, Buyende, and Kaliro districts. UNEB commended the leadership of Kyenjojo, Kabarole, and Bundibugyo districts, noting significant improvements. Following strict action taken by the Chief Administrative Officer of Kyenjojo in 2024, no malpractice cases were reported from the district this year.
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