Kampala, Uganda | The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the results of the 2025 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), showing an increase in the number of candidates who attained Division One, alongside improved performance in English and a notable decline in Social Studies and Religious Education (SST).
According to UNEB, a total of 817,883 candidates from 15,388 examination centres registered for PLE 2025, compared to 797,444 candidates in 2024.
Of these, 807,313 candidates sat the examination, while 10,570 (1.3%) were absent, the same absentee rate recorded last year .
The examination was conducted on November 3 and 4, 2025, under the theme “Embracing security and holistic assessment of learners in a dynamic environment.”
UNEB reported that despite adverse weather conditions and damaged infrastructure in some parts of the country, the examinations were successfully conducted due to coordinated efforts by local governments, security agencies, and UNEB monitors.
UNEB data show that 91,990 candidates passed in Division One in 2025, up from 84,301 candidates in 2024, an increase of 7,689 candidates. Overall, 7,503 more candidates passed PLE in 2025 compared to the previous year .
Division Two accounted for the largest proportion of candidates, with 388,293 learners, while 165,226 candidates were placed in Division Three and 84,724 in Division Four. A total of 77,080 candidates (9.55%) were ungraded.
At Grade 8 and above, candidates performed best in English, followed by Integrated Science and Mathematics, while Social Studies with Religious Education was the weakest subject overall.
UNEB reported that English registered improved performance compared to 2024, while SST showed a significant decline, which examiners attributed to challenges in applying knowledge to real-life situations and inadequate adjustment to competency-based teaching methods.
Item response analysis indicated that less than 20% of candidates demonstrated higher ability levels in any subject. About two-thirds of candidates were assessed at medium ability level, while approximately 16% fell under the lower ability category across all subjects.
Girls continued to outnumber boys in candidature, with 428,324 girls (52.4%) registered compared to 389,469 boys (47.6%).
However, in terms of performance, boys registered a higher proportion in Division One and Division Two, while girls recorded slightly higher failure rates .
Girls performed better in English, while boys had a slight advantage in Mathematics, Integrated Science and SST.
UNEB registered 3,636 candidates with special needs, an increase from 3,328 in 2024, reflecting growing awareness and inclusion. The majority of special needs candidates obtained Division Two.
A total of 101 prison inmates from Luzira and Mbarara prisons were also registered, with several attaining Division One and Division Two results.
UNEB reported continued concerns over examination malpractice, citing cases where invigilators were bribed or threatened to allow teachers to assist candidates.
As a result, the Board said it had withheld results of affected candidates pending investigations, particularly in districts including Kisoro, Kampala, Mukono, Namutumba, Kassanda, Buyende and Kaliro.
The Board noted improved compliance in districts such as Kyenjojo, where no malpractice cases were reported following stricter administrative action taken in 2024.
UNEB said results have been uploaded on the Centre Portal, while district and city inspectors may collect hard copies from UNEB offices in Ntinda starting February 2, 2026.
Candidates and parents can also access results via SMS by sending “PLE [Index Number]” to 6600 on MTN and Airtel networks.
UNEB urged schools to review result lists and submit any corrections within two weeks of release.
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