The Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) has officially released the May/June 2025 assessment results, showing that 91 percent of candidates attained full competence in their respective programmes.
Speaking at the release of the results on Friday, UVTAB Executive Secretary Onesmus Oyesigye praised the overall performance, noting that completion rates across most programmes exceeded 75 percent.
He highlighted that female candidates outperformed their male counterparts. Of the 15,399 females who sat for the assessments, 14,188 (92%) attained full competence. In comparison, 9,928 out of 11,211 male candidates (89%) achieved the same.
The results also revealed a notable difference between candidates who trained informally and those from formal Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
Informally trained candidates recorded a completion rate of 96 percent, while those from formal TVET institutions stood at 81 percent. This superior performance among informally trained learners was attributed to the flexible, hands-on nature of the skills acquisition process.
A total of 30,291 candidates registered for the end-of-programme assessments. Of these, 17,245 were female and 13,046 were male.
Programmes in Home Science, Technology Education, and Agriculture attracted the highest number of female candidates.
According to Oyesigye, the increased female enrolment is largely due to the flexible and short-term structure of these courses, which makes them more accessible to women.
The assessment also included 109 special needs candidates, comprising 52 females and 57 males. A total of 102 candidates sat for the exams, representing a 94 percent participation rate. Of those who sat, 85 candidates (83%) attained full competence.
Among the 19 special needs candidates assessed in practical areas such as tailoring, hairdressing, and jewellery making, 89 percent were successful. UVTAB confirmed that those who did not meet the required competence standards will be given another opportunity in future assessments.
In the field of Technology Education and Training at diploma level, 5,120 candidates registered, and 4,089 sat for assessments. Out of those, 192 candidates (5%) attained Class I (Distinction), while 2,997 (73%) earned Class II (Credit). The overall completion rate for this category stood at 78 percent, representing 3,189 candidates who achieved full competence.
However, UVTAB identified performance gaps in specific modules. Candidates pursuing a Diploma in Automobile Engineering struggled with electronics, those in Architecture had difficulty with Building Specifications, Civil and Water Engineering students faced challenges in Elementary Design of Structures, and Biomedical Engineering candidates struggled with Bio Control Systems.
Fashion and Design candidates performed poorly in the Exhibition and Marketing module, while many students in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning failed the Engineering Mathematics III paper.
At certificate level in technology education and training, 73 candidates sat for the assessment. Of these, one achieved First Class, 30 obtained Second Class Upper, and 10 received Second Class Lower.
The overall completion rate in this category was 56 percent. Poor performance was largely linked to difficulties in Surveying I, Land Scale Modelling, and Principles of Property Economics.
Agriculture Education and Training recorded some of the highest completion rates. At diploma level, 760 candidates registered and 661 sat for assessments. Of these, 318 attained Class I (Distinction), while 315 earned Class II (Credit), resulting in a strong overall completion rate of 96 percent. Some programmes in this category recorded 100 percent completion.
At certificate level, only six candidates registered, and three sat for the assessments. Two of them achieved First Class honours, resulting in a 67 percent success rate.
In Business Education and Training at diploma level, 2,363 candidates registered and 1,900 sat for assessments. Of those, 529 scored Class I (Distinction), and 1,137 attained Class II (Credit).
The overall completion rate was 87 percent, with 1,657 candidates successfully earning full competence.
However, the National Diploma in Business Management registered a low pass rate in the Elements of Taxation course, with only 36 percent of candidates passing the module.
At certificate level, 207 candidates registered for Business Education and Training, and 168 sat for the assessments. Out of these, 73 earned First Class Honours, 51 obtained Second Class Upper, and the rest achieved Second Class Lower grades.
The completion rate in this category was 74 percent, with 125 candidates successfully qualifying to join the world of work.
Home Science Education and Training also posted strong performance. At diploma level, 218 candidates registered and 201 sat for assessments. Of those, 145 achieved Class I (Distinction), while 40 attained Class II (Credit). The overall completion rate for this programme stood at 92 percent.
Oyesigye reaffirmed UVTAB’s commitment to quality and inclusive skills development.
He also noted that candidates who did not meet full competence requirements will be supported through future assessment opportunities.
