By George Bukenya
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has announced the total number of candidates registered to sit for examinations at all levels in the 2026 academic year. According to the body’s Executive Director Dr. Dan N. Odongo, confirmed a total of 1,627, 885 leaners.
Director Odongo made the announcement while releasing the 2026 examination timetables for the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE).
This represents an increase of 211,437 candidates, or 14.9 per cent, compared with the 1,416,448 candidates registered in 2025. The Director said, the 2026 candidature figures are still provisional, noting that they could change slightly if all candidates who paid registration are presented.
Speaking to reporters at Uganda Media Centre, Dr. Adongo, revealed that UACE recorded the biggest increase, with 203,875 candidates, up 22.5 per cent from 166,400 in 2025. UCE registered 503,214 candidates, an increase of 16.4 per cent, while P.L.E registered 92,796, up 12.4 per cent.
The director also revealed, of the overall, 846,871 candidates are female constituting 52% and 781,014 are male making 48 %
There has been a significant increase in the number of science learners at UACE, for Physics candidates increased from 21,302 to 35,029 giving a 64.4% increment while for Chemistry the numbers went up from 37134 to 64501 (73.7%) and Biology from 35,660 to 64288 (80.3%).
Briefing of UCE candidates will take place on October 8, 2026 at respective examination centres and writing examinations will commence on 11th Oct while PLE candidates will be briefed on October 30 and UACE candidates on November 6.
The PLE examinations will be held on November 3 and 4, while UACE examinations will run from November 6 until December 5, 2026. UCE examinations will take place between October and November.
UNEB has also clarified that there has been no change to the UACE grading system.
The Board said UACE continues to use letter grades A, B, C, D, E and O, with A representing the highest level of performance. ‘E’ remains the lowest grade at Principal level, while candidates who do not attain a Principal-level pass may obtain Subsidiary-level passes. Dr. Odongo also stressed that it does not assign numerical points to letter grades. Numerical values such as five points for an A or four for a B are conversions made by other institutions, particularly for selection purposes.
The Board therefore dismissed reports suggesting that the numerical value attached to UACE grades had changed.
Although the Competency-Based Curriculum has not yet been fully rolled out at UACE, Dr. Odongo said the current UACE curriculum has been aligned with the competency-based approach to help the pioneer UCE continue with same at UACE.
The changes include removing overlapping and obsolete content and reducing excessive content in some subjects. Candidates will also encounter more scenario-based questions and tasks, similar to those already used under the competency-based approach at UCE.
UNEB said sample papers were distributed to schools to familiarise learners with the new assessment approach. Recent pre-tests conducted across the country, according to the Board, showed no indication that candidates were struggling to understand the new format.
UNEB also explained the reduction in the UACE subject load.
Previously, candidates could take up to four Principal-level subjects, although three were the minimum requirement. The Board said many learners began taking a fourth subject mainly to gain an additional point for university selection.
The Ministry of Education and Sports subsequently determined that three Principal-level subjects are sufficient for learners to pursue further education and training.
UNEB said the change is intended to reduce unnecessary academic pressure on candidates.
On reports of schools failing to register candidates, UNEB said its role is mainly to identify and report such cases.
The Board said it publishes lists of schools that have not registered candidates so that parents, government agencies and other stakeholders can take appropriate action.
Candidates have been advised to verify their names, dates of birth, gender, photographs and registered subjects before the examinations.
Any errors should immediately be reported to school authorities so that they can be communicated to UNEB for correction.
UNEB said the verification exercise is important because mistakes in registration details can remain on certificates if they are not corrected before examinations.
The theme for this year’s examinations is: “Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through Secure, Credible, Inclusive, and Innovative Processes.”