By Nsiiro Julius, Trending Ug News Desk
September 18, 2025 – Kampala, Uganda
In a timely update for anxious students, parents, and educators across the country, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has officially unveiled the 2025 examination timetable, paving the way for over 1.4 million candidates to sit for their end-of-cycle assessments. The release comes amid the final stretch of the academic year, signaling the countdown to one of Uganda’s most pivotal educational milestones.
According to the newly published schedule, the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams for Senior 4 students will kick off on October 13, 2025, followed by the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) for Primary 7 pupils starting November 3, 2025, and wrapping up with the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) for Senior 6 candidates from November 10, 2025. These dates align with UNEB’s traditional pattern, ensuring a structured progression that allows schools to finalize preparations without undue overlap.
The timetable’s rollout has been met with a mix of relief and urgency on social media, where educators and parents are already sharing downloads and revision tips. One X user highlighted the scale of the event, noting that “1.4 million learners [are] set for final exams as UNEB releases 2025 timetable,” linking to detailed coverage. Another post from a local media outlet emphasized the nationwide impact, underscoring how the schedule outlines assessments for millions under the current academic calendar.
Key Highlights from the 2025 Timetable:
| Examination Level | Start Date | Duration | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCE (O-Level) | October 13, 2025 | Approximately 3 weeks | Covers core subjects like English, Math, and Sciences; practicals begin earlier for labs. |
| PLE | November 3, 2025 | 1 week | Focuses on English, Math, Science, and Social Studies; held at designated primary centers. |
| UACE (A-Level) | November 10, 2025 | 3-4 weeks | Includes specialized papers in arts, sciences, and vocational tracks; includes project submissions. |
Source: Compiled from UNEB announcements and media reports. Full PDFs available on the UNEB portal.
This release follows UNEB’s earlier announcement in April 2025 on candidate registration, which ran from April 2 to May 31 for normal entries, with late registrations closing on July 31. The board has stressed the importance of electronic registration and urged schools to verify candidate bio-data promptly to avoid anomalies during exams. No major changes from draft versions circulated in July have been reported, though final tweaks for specific subjects like Computer Studies and ICT could emerge closer to the dates.
Broader UNEB Updates in 2025
Beyond the timetable, UNEB has been active this year:
Link to the Time table : https://uneb.ac.ug/category/exam_timetables/
- Registration Surge: Over 1.4 million candidates registered, a slight uptick from 2024, reflecting growing enrollment in secondary and tertiary levels.
- Transition Adjustments: Earlier in the year, UNEB shifted UCE repeater exams to align with the main October-November window, scrapping a compressed June-July slot to give candidates more prep time.
- Ongoing Concerns: Stakeholders continue to push for clearer guidelines on exam center allocations and anti-cheating measures, especially after 2024’s high-profile leaks.
As schools intensify revision drives, UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo reminded candidates in a recent statement: “Preparation is key—focus on understanding, not rote learning.” Parents are advised to monitor the official UNEB website (uneb.ac.ug) for downloadable timetables and updates, as physical copies will also be distributed to schools.
For Primary 7 leavers dreaming of secondary slots and Senior 6 hopefuls eyeing university, the next few weeks are crunch time. Trending Ug will keep you posted on any last-minute adjustments or result release dates. What’s your exam prep tip? Share in the comments below!
Trending Ug: Where Uganda’s stories trend first. Follow us for more education updates.
