The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has officially concluded the 2025 national exam registration process, confirming a historic surge in candidate numbers.
UNEB Executive Director Dr. Dan Odongo announced on July 31 that all digital school portals had been closed, effectively halting any further entries for the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE).
This year’s registration figures hit a record 1,415,857 candidates representing a 6.8% increase from the 1.3 million who registered in 2024.
According to UNEB, the uptick is a positive indicator of recovery in the education sector, which has faced disruptions in recent years due to pandemic-related setbacks and economic strain.
Dr. Odongo praised school heads and examination centers that adhered to deadlines, saying their cooperation was key to a smooth registration process.
“UNEB will no longer receive registration data for this year’s candidates after the portals are closed,” the statement read.
“Heads of centres are advised to ensure that no learner supposed to sit for this year’s examinations is left out.”
In a move to enhance transparency and minimize registration errors, UNEB will soon roll out an SMS-based service that allows candidates to verify their registration status remotely.
The Board says the tool will help students detect and address any discrepancies before exam season begins.
Detailed guidelines on how to access the SMS system are expected to be released to schools and shared with the public in the coming days.
So far, a total of 1,415,857 candidates have been registered for the 2025 examinations, reflecting a 6.8% increase compared to last year’s candidature of 1,319,139.
With registration now closed, UNEB shifts focus to preparing examination materials and finalizing logistics for the country’s largest annual assessment exercise.
