Uganda National Examinations Board Releases UCE Results

The announcement of the 2023 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results marked a great moment, with the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) Executive Director, Dan Odongo, revealing the outcomes at the State House in Nakasero, Kampala, on Thursday, February 15.

In a notable development, there was a remarkable increase in the total number of candidates, surging by 15,008 (4.3%) compared to the previous year. The candidate count rose from 349,459 in 2022 to an impressive 364,469 in 2023. This surge showcased the widespread participation in the UCE, with candidates spread across 3,808 examination centers.

Within this cohort, 32.5% (118,633) were beneficiaries of Universal Secondary Education (USE). The gender distribution reflected a balanced representation, with 49.5% (180,471) being male candidates and 50.5% (183,998) being females.

Dan Odongo emphasized the overall improved performance in the 2023 examination compared to the previous year. Notably, the failure rate witnessed a decrease of 0.5%, indicating a positive trend. Consequently, an impressive 95.9% (329,939) of the candidates are eligible to progress to the post-UCE level.

A detailed analysis of subject-wise performance revealed intriguing patterns. Female candidates outperformed their male counterparts in the English Language, while in subjects such as History, Geography, Science, and Commerce, males demonstrated a substantial lead. Chemistry presented a unique scenario, with male candidates excelling in higher grades, yet a slightly higher percentage of females achieved at least a Pass. This persistent gender-based performance disparity has added complexity to the dynamic landscape of UCE results over the years.