Kampala, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — In the 2023 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Examinations (UACE), a significant majority of the 109,488 candidates who participated, totaling 108,492, successfully passed. This achievement translates to a higher percentage of students eligible for university and tertiary education, as reported by the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb).
Among the successful candidates, 52,452 attained 3 Principal passes, 28,191 secured 2 Principal passes, and 18,624 obtained one principal pass. Additionally, 9,225 students achieved one subsidiary pass, while 996 students did not pass out of the total 110,553 examinees.
Speaking at the UACE exams release, Uneb executive director Dan Odongo highlighted that 99 percent of candidates are eligible for the UACE certificate. He noted that historically, university admissions have considered 2 Principal level passes as the minimum requirement. With this criterion, 80,643 candidates (73.7%) qualify for admission, an increase from 67,815 (70.3%) in 2022.
Odongo further explained that when considering one Principal and two Subsidiary passes for admission to other tertiary institutions, 90.7% of candidates qualify, an improvement from 89.3% in 2022.
Despite fewer female candidates compared to males, Odongo emphasized their better performance, especially at the upper pass levels (3P and 2P). This trend has been consistent over the past three years.
Uneb observed a notable increase of 12.9% in the number of candidates registered for the 2023 UACE compared to 2022, totaling 109,488 examinees. Of these, 47,226 were females, and 63,339 were males.
Under the UPOLET programme, 24,679 candidates, comprising 22.3% of the total candidature, were registered, compared to 17,321 (17.7%) in 2022. Males accounted for 16,008 (14.5%) of UPOLET candidates, while females constituted 8,671 (7.8%). The discrepancy in numbers between male and female candidates may be linked to the types of schools offering UACE.
#EducUg | The 2023 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education Examinations results have officially been released.
Congratulations to all #UACE2023 Candidates. pic.twitter.com/DkKHkMXiYa
— Ministry of Education and Sports – Uganda (@Educ_SportsUg) March 7, 2024