KAMPALA – The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the 2024 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examination results, showing a mixed performance across subjects. The results were presented by UNEB Executive Secretary, Dan Odongo, at a ceremony held at State House, Nakasero, in the presence of the Minister of Education and Sports, Parliamentarians, and other stakeholders.
According to Odongo, the examination was successfully conducted between November 11 and December 6, 2024, with 142,009 candidates registered, representing a 28.4% increase from 110,566 in 2023.
“The numbers of candidates that have obtained the principal passes at those levels are shown, for example, our candidates who have passed with at least three principal passes are indicated as 54,338, giving a percentage of 38.6,” Odongo explained.
“When we look at 2023, that number was 52,630, but proportionally, that represented 48.1%. And we look down the column, we see the different percentages and the cumulative percentages as we go down the table.”
Pass Rates and Performance
Odongo noted that 98.8% of candidates qualified for the UACE award, with 65.5% passing with at least two principal passes.
“University admissions to degree courses have up to date been considering two principal level passes as a minimum requirement. And mama, if this consideration is maintained, 92,273, or 65.5%, will qualify to be admitted, compared to 81,816, or 73.8%, in 2023.”
Subject Performance
The results showed significant improvements in economics, literature, English, physics, and biology, while drops were recorded in entrepreneurship, education, and mathematics.
“In economics, 1.9% of the candidates passed with an A, 60.6% obtained at least a principal pass E and above. The overall pass level is 87.3, which compares to 82.3% in 2023.”
STEM Subjects
Despite an increase in candidates registering for mathematics and sciences, the numbers remain low, with physics showing a 100% increase.
“Mathematics has the largest increase. However, overall, the numbers have remained well below half of the total candidature. The low pass rate in sciences at UCE level probably explains the low numbers transitioning to UACE level for those subjects.”
Female Performance
The results showed that female candidates performed better than their male counterparts at all levels, with lower failure rates.
“At the three principal pass level, we have a percentage of 43.7 for females versus 34.6 for males. At two principal passes, we have a percentage cumulatively of 71.2% versus 61.1% for males.”
Special Interest Groups
Odongo also presented results for special interest groups, including special needs candidates and prison inmates.
“For special needs candidates, 104 candidates passed with three principal passes, with most candidates requiring subsidiary passes.”
“In the prisons, 25 inmates from Luzira Upper Prison passed with three principal passes, with all inmates qualifying for the USCE certificate.”
Challenges and Recommendations
Odongo highlighted challenges faced by candidates, including poor interpretation of questions, inadequate critical thinking skills, and poor mathematical skills.
“In history, for example, inadequate critical thinking skills limited the candidate’s ability to analyze historical views. The National Constitution is a major reference material in one of the papers in the subject of history.”
Odongo recommended that schools focus on improving syllabus coverage, practical skills, and mathematical skills to enhance candidate performance.
“The low pass rate in sciences at UCE level probably explains the low numbers transitioning to UACE level for those subjects. We need to work on improving the performance in sciences.”
Overall, the 2024 UACE results show a mixed performance, with improvements in some subjects and declines in others. The increase in candidature and female performance is notable, while the low numbers in STEM subjects remain a concern.
