More pupils sit PLE under UPE as candidate numbers grow

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Nearly two-thirds of candidates who sat the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) were beneficiaries of Universal Primary Education (UPE).

According to the results released by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) on January 30, 2026, 522,036 candidates representing 63.8% sat their examinations at 11,525 UPE centres across the country.

The remaining 295,847 candidates, accounting for 36.2%, were from 3,863 non-UPE centres.

UNEB executive director Dan Odongo speaking during the release of the 2025 PLE results. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)

UNEB executive director Dan Odongo revealed the total number of candidates who sat the examinations increased by 20,439, representing a 2.6% rise from the previous year.

He said the figures reflect sustained access to primary education under the UPE programme.

Speaking ahead of the results’ release at State Lodge Nakasero, First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to free primary education.

First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni speaking during the release of the 2025 PLE results. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)

“Since the inception of UPE, hundreds of thousands of our children who would otherwise have not had education due to challenges of school fees, have been able to complete primary school. With the renewal of the mandate of the NRM Government, by the people of Uganda, UPE shall continue to play its role in expanding access to basic education for all,” she said.

She said government policy remains focused on ensuring that no child is denied primary education due to inability to pay school fees.

A total of 817,883 candidates from 15,388 exam centres registered for PLE 2025, up from 797,444 in 2024.