By Diana N. Kintu
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has officially released the results of the 2025 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), held on 3rd and 4th November 2025 under the theme “Embracing security and holistic assessment of learners in a dynamic environment.” The announcement was made at State House Nakasero by Mama Janet K. Museveni, First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports. Despite challenges caused by adverse weather and damaged infrastructure in some regions, UNEB confirmed that the dedicated efforts of local governments, teachers, and examination monitors ensured the exams were successfully conducted nationwide.
A total of 817,883 candidates from 15,388 centres registered for the 2025 PLE, representing an increase of 20,439 candidates, or 2.6 per cent, compared to 2024. Of these, 522,036, or 63.8 per cent, were Universal Primary Education (UPE) beneficiaries, while 295,847, or 36.2 per cent, were non-UPE candidates. Girls continued to outnumber boys, with 428,324, or 52.4 per cent, female candidates compared to 389,469, or 47.6 per cent, male candidates. Out of the total registered, 807,313 candidates sat the examinations, while 10,570, or 1.3 per cent, were absent.
English showed the strongest improvement, with 18.5 per cent of candidates demonstrating higher ability levels, compared to 4.9 per cent in 2024. Integrated Science and Mathematics maintained steady performance, while Social Studies with Religious Education (SST) recorded a slight decline. Overall, 91,990 candidates, or 11.4 per cent, achieved Division One, an increase of 7,689 compared to 2024. Boys outperformed girls in Mathematics and SST, while girls excelled in English.
Parents and guardians can now access their children’s results instantly via mobile phone. To do so, they should go to the Messages menu on their phone, type PLE followed by a space, enter the candidate’s full index number, and send the message to 6600 using MTN or Airtel Uganda networks. Results will be delivered directly to the phone. In addition, hard copies will be available for collection from UNEB offices at Ntinda by District, Municipal, and City Inspectors of Schools starting Monday, 2nd February 2026.