EDITOR
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the 2025 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results, with 730,233 candidates successfully passing the national exams, marking an improvement in overall performance compared to 2024.
According to the results released on Friday at State House Nakasero, the majority of candidates passed in Division Two, accounting for 388,293 learners, followed by 165,226 in Division Three, 91,990 in Division One, and 84,724 in Division Four.
UNEB data shows that 7,503 more candidates passed in 2025 than in 2024, while 7,689 additional learners attained Division One, reflecting a steady upward trend in academic performance at the primary level.
While more girls (380,264) passed the PLE compared to boys (349,969), boys performed better in the top divisions. A total of 48,220 boys (12.54%) attained Division One, compared to 43,770 girls (10.35%). In Division Two, 48.54% of boys passed, slightly higher than 47.69% of girls.
However, the results also revealed higher failure rates among girls, with 42,580 female candidates (10.07%) ungraded, compared to 34,500 boys (8.97%).
A total of 817,883 candidates from 15,388 examination centres registered for the 2025 PLE, up from 797,444 candidates in 2024, representing a 2.6% increase.
Of the total candidature, 522,036 learners (63.8%) were from Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools, while 295,847 candidates (36.2%) came from Non-UPE schools.
More Girls Complete Primary Education
UNEB noted that more girls than boys registered for the 2025 PLE, continuing a trend observed in recent years. Girls accounted for 52.4% (428,324) of the total candidature, while boys made up 47.6% (389,469), indicating that more girls completed the primary education cycle.
The Board registered 3,636 learners with special needs in 2025, an increase of 308 candidates (9.3%) from 2024. These included learners who are blind, deaf, physically handicapped, and those with dyslexia. UNEB attributed the rise to increased awareness and improved support systems in schools.
UNEB also registered candidates from correctional facilities, including 61 learners from Luzira Upper Prison and 40 from Mbarara Main Prison, underscoring ongoing efforts to promote inclusive education.
According to UNEB, the inclusion of learners with special needs and candidates from prisons demonstrates continued commitment by the Board and the Ministry of Education and Sports to ensure access to education for all learners, regardless of circumstance.
