The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, has urged students to embrace science and mathematics subjects, saying they are key to Uganda’s industrial development.
Speaking on Friday during the release of the 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education results at State House Nakasero in Kampala, Mrs Museveni said the growing number of candidates sitting for the examinations shows improved transition to higher levels of education.
According to the Minister, 165,175 candidates sat the UACE examinations in 2025, up from 140,888 in 2024 and 109,486 in 2023. The increase of 55,686 candidates over the three-year period represents a 50.9 percent rise.
She said the growth reflects greater progression through the education system and noted that a total of 1,402,434 learners completed the three national examination levels in 2025, representing an increase of 107,703 candidates, or 8.3 percent, compared to 2024.
“I applaud the Board and staff of UNEB for successfully discharging their mandate on time despite the large increases in candidature,” Museveni said, referring to the Uganda National Examinations Board.
The minister said entries in science and mathematics subjects have continued to rise, adding that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) remain essential for economic transformation.
“While I recognize the invaluable role of the humanities in shaping societal morals and promoting entrepreneurship and cultural awareness, STEM subjects are the bedrock for industrial development,” she said.
Museveni also noted that more than 21,000 additional candidates qualified for university admission compared to the previous year, expressing confidence that tertiary institutions across the country have the capacity to absorb them.
However, she encouraged learners to consider technical and vocational education, saying graduates from such institutions are often readily absorbed into industry or become job creators.
“What our young people appear not to appreciate are the opportunities available in our technical and vocational institutions. Products of these institutions are readily taken up by industries or are able to create jobs by themselves,” she said.
The minister also commended female candidates for their performance, particularly the increasing number of girls taking science subjects.
“I am pleased to note the good performance by girls and the steady increase in the number of girls taking on science subjects and doing very well,” she said, adding that more encouragement and role models are needed to sustain the trend.
Museveni further called on parents and guardians to play a greater role in supporting their children’s education.
“Education is a shared responsibility, and its foundation is built within the family,” she said.
The minister said government is undertaking reforms to improve the relevance of education, noting that students must be able to apply classroom knowledge to solve real-life problems in their communities.
Through the National Curriculum Development Centre, the Ministry of Education is reviewing and reforming the UACE curriculum to remove unnecessary content and align teaching approaches with those used at lower secondary level.
The reforms build on lessons learned from the competency-based curriculum introduced at the Uganda Certificate of Education level.
Museveni said once the curriculum reforms are completed, the government expects improved learning outcomes at the advanced level as well.
She congratulated candidates who performed well and encouraged those dissatisfied with their results to remain hopeful and explore alternative education pathways.
“It is now my pleasure to release the results of the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Examination for public use,” she said.
