The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has registered a total of 1,627,885 candidates for the 2026 national examinations, marking a 14.9% increase from the 1,416,448 candidates registered in 2025. This information was disclosed by UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo Nokrach during a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre. The increase in candidature has been recorded across all three examination levels.
According to Odongo, the surge in candidature could be attributed to improved completion rates, with more learners remaining in school and progressing to the next level of education. The registered candidates comprise 52% females and 48% males, while 52% of the candidates are sponsored by the government under the Universal Education programmes at primary and secondary levels. Additionally, UNEB has registered 6,090 Special Needs Education (SNE) learners among the 2026 candidates.
At the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) level, candidature has increased from 818,885 candidates in 2025 to 920,796 in 2026, representing a 12.4% increase. The Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) level has seen a rise from 432,163 candidates in 2025 to 503,214 candidates in 2026, an increase of 16.4%. The sharpest increase has been recorded at the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) level, where candidature has risen from 166,400 in 2025 to 203,875 candidates in 2026, representing a 22.5% increase.
Odongo noted that UNEB has particularly observed a significant increase in candidature in traditional science subjects at UACE. The Board has identified schools and examination centres that presented candidates for examinations in 2025 but have not registered candidates for the 2026 examinations. A final verification exercise is being conducted, and the list of such schools and centres will be published by September 30, 2026.
UNEB is urging candidates to verify their registration details before the examination period. Candidates who identify anomalies in their registration data should inform their school authorities immediately so that the information can be corrected by UNEB. Heads of examination centres have also been asked to thoroughly cross-check registration information before signing and stamping the final records.
Odongo reminded schools that the display of candidates' registers is continuing until October 7, 2026, in accordance with the UNEB Act. Examination centres are required to display candidates' lists in conspicuous places on school noticeboards to enable candidates to confirm their registration status and verify their personal details. Candidates are expected to check the correctness and order of their names, date of birth, gender, quality of their photographs, and the subjects and papers registered for.
Odongo also cautioned candidates against engaging in acts of indiscipline during the examination period and warned against false SNE declarations. The 2026 national examination cycle will officially commence with the briefing of UCE candidates on Thursday, October 8, 2026. UNEB has released examination timetables, and heads of examination centres can access them accordingly.
Key points
- The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has registered 1,627,885 candidates for the 2026 national examinations.
- The 2026 national examination cycle will officially commence with the briefing of UCE candidates on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
- UNEB has observed a significant increase in candidature in traditional science subjects at UACE.
