Boys have outperformed girls in the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), according to results released by the Uganda National Examinations
A total of 817,883 candidates from 15,388 examination centres registered for the 2025 PLE, an increase from 797,444 candidates in 2024. Of these, 522,036 candidates from 11,525 centres were beneficiaries of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme, while 295,847 candidates from 3,863 centres were more boys complete Primary than girls
Gender analysis shows that 389,469 boys registered for the examinations compared to 428,324 girls, continuing a trend observed in recent years where more girls complete the primary education cycle than boys.
UNEB also registered 3,636 learners with special needs, including learners who are blind, deaf, physically handicapped, or living with dyslexia. This marks an increase from 3,328 candidates recorded in 2024.
Performance Breakdown
Among male candidates:
48,220 attained First Grade
186,638 attained Second Grade
77,453 attained Third Grade
37,658 attained Fourth Grade
Among female candidates:
43,770 attained First Grade
201,655 attained Second Grade
87,773 attained Third Grade
47,066 attained Fourth Grade
Overall, boys recorded better performance and a lower failure rate compared to girls.
UNEB reported that more candidates attained Division One in 2025 than in 2024, registering an increase of 7,689 candidates. In absolute terms, 7,503 more candidates passed the 2025 PLE compared to the previous year.
Despite boys’ overall stronger performance, girls outperformed boys in English, with 1.91 percent attaining Distinction One, compared to 1.73 percent of boys. In Social Studies and Religious Education, boys performed slightly better than girls, according to UNEB Executive Director Daniel Odong.
