Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the timetable for the 2026 national examinations, setting the stage for over 1.6 million candidates to sit for their final papers this academic year.
The examinations, starting next month, will cover the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE).
Addressing journalists in Kampala today, UNEB Executive Director Mr Dan Odongo said UCE, usually the first set to be done, will officially begin with the briefing of candidates by head teachers on Thursday October 8, a mandatory session meant to prepare learners for the dos and don’ts during the exams.
Mr Odongo said UCE candidates will sit for their first paper on Monday October 12, starting with Geography in the morning and Biology theory in the afternoon.
The Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) is scheduled to run from Friday, October 30 to Wednesday, November 4, 2026. This will be closely followed by the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations, which will kick off on Friday, November 7 and conclude on Friday, December 5, 2026.
“We have registered a total of 1,627,885 candidates for the three examinations, an increase of 211,437 (14.9%) compared to last year’s candidature of 1,416,448,” Mr Odongo said.
“Of these candidates that we have registered, 52% are female while 48% are male, and we note that the female has outstripped the male in terms of numbers that are staying in school,” he added.
He said 52% of the total candidature are sponsored by the government under the Universal Education programme for primary and secondary levels, with 6,090 being Special Needs Education (SNE) learners.
Mr Odongo noted that candidature for UCE increased by 16.4%, rising from 432,163 in 2025 to 503,214 in 2026.
“We have recorded the highest increase of candidates at UACE, from 166,400 in 2025 to 203,875 (22.5%) in 2026,” he said.
He attributed the sharp increase in candidature at all levels to higher completion rates, with more learners staying in school and transitioning to the next level.
He cautioned teachers, parents and guardians against scammers purporting to have access to UNEB papers, and urged candidates against acts of indiscipline.
“Being a candidate does not put you over and above the school rules and regulations, UNEB does not condone indiscipline and will not in any way support candidates who may be suspended or dismissed due to involvement in acts of indiscipline,” Mr Odongo said.
This year’s examinations will be held under the theme: “Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through secure, credible, inclusive and innovative processes.”
