The long-awaited 2024 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results are finally out, and the numbers paint a picture of triumph for many—but a nightmare for some! Out of the 140,888 students who sat for the exams, a whopping 92,273 candidates secured the golden ticket to university admission, while 1,632 have been left with no choice but to repeat Senior Six!
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) confirmed the shocking statistics today, revealing a major leap in candidature. Compared to 2023, this year’s exam saw a staggering 28.4% increase in registered students, jumping from 110,566 to 141,996. The sharp rise signals a growing hunger for higher education—but not everyone made it across the finish line.
BOYS OUTNUMBER GIRLS—AGAIN!
Once again, male candidates dominated the exams, making up 56.3% of those who appeared. Despite this imbalance, the overall performance remained impressive, with 98.8% of students qualifying for the UACE certificate.
According to UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo, 54,338 candidates secured all three principal passes, while 37,935 managed two, meeting the threshold for university admission. However, 29,233 students barely scraped through with just one principal pass, and for the unlucky 1,632, the only option left is to retake the exams!
UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS SHAKE-UP!
With over 92,000 students qualifying for university, pressure is mounting on institutions to find extra spaces. Compared to last year’s 80,816 university qualifiers, this year’s surge means an additional 11,457 seats are needed to accommodate the flood of hopefuls.
For those who failed to meet university requirements, hope is not completely lost—121,506 candidates (86.2%) are eligible for admission into other tertiary institutions with at least one principal and two subsidiary passes.
ACADEMIC NIGHTMARE FOR 1,600 STUDENTS
While the majority of students are celebrating, 1,632 candidates are staring at a harsh reality. With no principal passes, they have been officially locked out of both university and tertiary institution admission. These students now face the daunting task of repeating Senior Six—a fate many dread!
As the dust settles on the results, one thing is clear: UACE 2024 has been a game-changer. With more students qualifying for higher education than ever before, Uganda’s academic landscape is shifting fast. But for those left behind, it’s back to the drawing board—literally!
