UNEB releases UACE results

Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) chairperson, Prof Mary Okwakol says there is a possibility that female students took up vocational studies available to them in preference to the UACE level.

"We note improvements in Physics and biology at subject level but a drop of performance at principal level," she says.

Prof Okwakol says candidature has reduced by 2.9%.
"This trend has been observed since 2014. Entry figures continue to show that overwhelmingly number of candidates are opting for humanity subjects," she adds.

According to her, allowing malpractice in exams will lead to low quality of the country's human resource.

"Cases of malpractice at UACE level were quite low. Results of 79 candidates from 24 centres have been withheld over malpractice. These were seeking for assistance during the examinations, among other reasons," she added.

Examination malpractice leads to poor doctors, poor judicial officers and engineers. This should be a matter of everyone's concern.

"The matter of exam security must be a concern of everyone including local leaders. Between 15 - 17th March, universities and institutions of higher learning will exhibit opportunities available for students."

Mr Daniel Odongo, the UNEB executive secretary says Girls constituted 41.4% of the candidates who sat for the exams.

He says a total of 101,269 candidates registered for UACE in 2017 examination as compared to 104,243 in 2016- a decrease of 2,974 candidates.

A total of 41,932 female candidates registered for UACE in 2017.
"Whereas gender parity has been attained at UCE, at this level (UACE), the gap between males and females taking these exams is still wide with parity index of 0.7," he said.

According to him, 98.5% of 101,269 candidates qualified for the award of UACE, including candidates who obtained at least one subsidiary level pass in a subject at principal level.

"Females performed better than males, with higher number of candidates scoring 3 principle passes," Mr Odongo says.