The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has officially released the 2024 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results, revealing a mix of improvements and declines across subjects. UNEB Executive Secretary Dan Odongo presented the results at State House, Nakasero, in the presence of the Minister of Education and Sports, Parliamentarians, and other key stakeholders.
Surge in Candidate Numbers
Odongo announced that 142,009 candidates sat for the exams, marking a 28.4% increase from 110,566 in 2023. The exams were conducted between November 11 and December 6, 2024.
“The number of candidates obtaining principal passes has been recorded, with 54,338 securing at least three principal passes, translating to 38.6%,” Odongo stated. “In 2023, this number was 52,630, representing 48.1%.”
Pass Rates and University Admissions
An impressive 98.8% of candidates qualified for the UACE award, with 65.5% securing at least two principal passes.
“University admissions require two principal level passes, meaning 92,273 students (65.5%) qualify for degree programs, compared to 81,816 (73.8%) in 2023,” Odongo confirmed.
Subject Performance: The Ups and Downs
Significant improvements were noted in economics, literature, English, physics, and biology. However, entrepreneurship, education, and mathematics saw a decline.
“In economics, 1.9% of students scored an A, and 60.6% secured at least a principal pass. The overall pass rate in economics rose to 87.3%, compared to 82.3% in 2023,” Odongo revealed.
STEM Subjects Still Lagging
While more students registered for mathematics and sciences, overall numbers remain low, despite physics showing a 100% increase.
“Mathematics had the largest increase, but overall, science subject enrollment remains below half of total candidates,” Odongo noted. “The low pass rate in sciences at UCE level likely affects transition rates to UACE.”
Female Candidates Outperform Males
Girls outshined their male counterparts across all levels, with lower failure rates.
“At the three principal pass level, female candidates secured 43.7%, while males recorded 34.6%. At two principal passes, females had 71.2% versus 61.1% for males,” Odongo reported.
Special Interest Groups Show Promise
The results also highlighted performance among special needs candidates and prison inmates.
“For special needs students, 104 secured three principal passes. Inmates at Luzira Upper Prison also performed well, with 25 passing at the highest level,” Odongo added.
Challenges and Recommendations
Despite the positive strides, students struggled with question interpretation, critical thinking, and mathematical skills.
“In history, for instance, weak critical thinking affected analysis of historical perspectives,” Odongo stated. “We must improve syllabus coverage, practical skills, and mathematical competencies to boost performance.”
While the 2024 UACE results showcase some areas of growth, the persistent low numbers in STEM subjects remain a concern. The increase in candidates and the continued dominance of female students offer promising signs for Uganda’s education sector.
