KAMPALA — The Chairperson of the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uganda National Examinations Board), Prof. Celestino Obua, has praised the board’s improved institutional capacity, describing the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE 2025) examination cycle as “far more familiar” and successfully executed under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Speaking during the official release of results at State House, Nakasero, Prof. Obua commended the UNEB Executive Director and staff for their professionalism and dedication.
He highlighted that empirical evidence gathered from school administrators, teachers, and learners confirms that the CBC is a transformative curriculum that produces students capable of driving Uganda’s socio-economic development.
CBC Learners Show Key Skills
According to the study cited by Prof. Obua, learners trained under the CBC demonstrate strong research skills, construct knowledge independently, are more creative and innovative, communicate effectively and show improved critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
“These outcomes affirm that the CBC is not only relevant but strategic in shaping a competent, skilled, and globally competitive generation,” the chairperson said. A detailed summary report on the study is expected to be released by the Executive Director.
Candidate Feedback on the Examination
A random sample of 36,546 candidates from 118 districts was surveyed immediately after completing the exams. Key findings include: 96.3% said exam items were within the syllabus, 74.7% found the time allocation adequate, and 88.2% reported that items were clearly presented.
On perceived difficulty: 4.7% found the exams easy, 66.4% found them fair, and 28.8% found them difficult.
Minimal Examination Malpractice
UNEB reported that malpractice cases remain low, with only 63 incidents recorded, primarily in Mathematics and practical papers in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Most cases involved candidates copying experimental results provided by teachers rather than conducting investigations themselves.
Under the CBC framework, candidates are expected to design and conduct investigations based on scenarios and provided apparatus, making such malpractice detectable.
Record-Breaking Participation and Performance
The UCE 2025 exams saw 432,163 candidates registered across 3,975 centres, a 20.2% increase from 2024. Attendance was high, with 429,949 candidates (99.5%) present. Performance improved significantly under the CBC, with 428,628 candidates (99.69%) qualifying for the UCE certificate — up from 98.1% in 2024 — and absenteeism continuing to decline.
Prof. Obua’s remarks reinforce the board’s commitment to leveraging the CBC to develop a generation of learners equipped with practical skills, critical thinking, and creativity needed for Uganda’s middle-income vision.