By Diana N. Kintu
.The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has announced that provisional candidature for the 2026 national examinations has reached 1,404,169 candidates, with just two weeks remaining before the close of normal registration.
The figure covers all three levels of assessment, the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) reflecting another significant year for Uganda’s national assessment system. UNEB Principal Public Relations Officer, Jennifer Kalule-Musamba, confirmed the numbers in a press statement issued on June 15, 2026.
“We encourage all Heads of Centres to ensure that candidates are registered before the deadline to avoid late registration surcharges,” she said.
At the PLE level, 844,341 candidates have registered so far. Females account for 52.6 percent (444,133), while males account for 47.4 percent (400,208). Of these, 539,954 candidates (64 percent) are registered under the government’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme, while 304,387 (36 percent) are privately sponsored.
Candidature at the UCE level provisionally stands at 401,509 candidates, with females making up 53.2 percent (213,421) and males 46.8 percent (188,088). Government sponsorship under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme covers 152,043 candidates (38 percent), while 249,466 (62 percent) are privately sponsored.
At the UACE level, 157,319 candidates have registered, including 76,383 females (48.6 percent) and 80,936 males (51.4 percent). Government sponsorship under the Uganda Post O-Level Education and Training Programme (UPOLET) covers 57,933 candidates (37 percent), while 99,386 (63 percent) are privately sponsored.
UNEB noted that registration remains ongoing across the country, with a number of centres yet to submit candidate data. So far, 91.5 percent of PLE centres have completed the process, compared to 76.6 percent of UCE centres and 69 percent of UACE centres.
A total of 23,421 centres are expected to register candidates this year, including 15,999 for PLE, 4,436 for UCE, and 2,986 for UACE.
Normal registration will continue until June 30, 2026. Late registration will be permitted throughout July, attracting a surcharge of 100 percent for PLE candidates and 50 percent for UCE and UACE candidates. The late registration window will close on July 31, 2026, after which no further registrations will be accepted.
UNEB has maintained the registration fee structure at UGX 34,000 for PLE, UGX 164,000 for UCE, and UGX 186,000 for UACE. Schools have meanwhile been cautioned against charging unauthorised fees under the guise of “UNEB fees”, Kalule-Musamba emphasised.
“According to the UNEB Act, it is an offence to charge fees not prescribed by UNEB and refer to such fees as UNEB fees,” she said.
The Board also underscored the importance of verifying candidate biodata before registration is finalised. Candidates, parents, and Heads of Centres are required to confirm the accuracy of names, dates of birth, gender, photographs, and subject choices. UNEB has indicated that amendments can be made free of charge up to the end of July.
Kalule-Musamba urged all stakeholders to take responsibility for ensuring a smooth registration process and accurate candidate records.
“It is the responsibility of candidates, parents, and Heads of Centres to ensure that registration details are accurate. Every learner deserves the opportunity to sit their examinations without hindrance,” she said.
With the registration deadline fast approaching, UNEB is calling on schools and parents to complete the process early to avoid penalties and last-minute complications that could affect candidates’ eligibility to sit the 2026 examinations.
Source: Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), June 2026.