A total of 203,809 senior six candidates are sitting for their Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education(UACE) examinations which will run until November, 26.
The candidates are the first to complete both their O-Level (UCE in 2024) and A-Level under the learner-centred, competence-focused approach.
According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), the exams emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-life application rather than rote memorization. While the full A-Level curriculum is undergoing a phased transition toward a full CBC overhaul by 2028, these 2026 exams are specifically aligned with CBC assessment modalities guided by the National Curriculum Development Centre.
The candidates are writing their exams at 3,039 centers nationwide administered by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).
The male candidates are 106,361 (52%) compared to the female candidates: 97,448 (48%). This number represents a 22.4% increase compared to the 166,400 candidates who registered in 2025.
The candidates have started the examinations with History (World Socio-Economic and Political History Since 1800) and Principal Mathematics in the morning session.
In the afternoon, they sat for the History (History of World Affairs Since 1789) and Principal Mathematics papers.
According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), the number of candidates registered for this year’s examinations represents a 22.4 per cent increase from the 166,400 who registered in 2025.
Of the 203,809 candidates, 106,361 are male, representing 52 per cent, while 97,448 are female, accounting for 48 per cent.
Among those sitting the examinations are 41 inmates from Upper Prison Secondary School in Luzira, Kampala, comprising 40 males and one female.
This year’s candidates are the first cohort to have undergone the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) throughout their lower secondary education before transitioning to Advanced Level.
They previously sat their Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations in 2024 under the new competency-based assessment model.
Meanwhile, UNEB has cautioned candidates against examination malpractice, warning that anyone found engaging in such practices risks having the results of the entire examination cancelled.
In a warning to examination centre heads, UNEB emphasised the importance of adequately briefing candidates on examination regulations before they begin their papers.
“Candidates must be informed that involvement in malpractice in one paper shall lead to the cancellation of results of the whole examination, and therefore, I implore Heads of Centres to diligently carry out this exercise of briefing without delegating it,” UNEB warned.
The board has repeatedly cautioned candidates and examination officials against engaging in practices that undermine the integrity and credibility of national examinations.
