The Chairperson of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), Professor Celestino Obua, has reaffirmed that Uganda’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is producing more innovative, creative, and research-oriented learners, as he officially released the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results.
Speaking at the ceremony held on Friday, February 13, 2026, Prof. Obua described 2025 as a significant year for UNEB, marking the release of the second cohort of candidates assessed under the Competency-Based Curriculum.
He noted that while 2024 marked the transition into new assessment terrain, 2025 saw improved institutional capacity in handling Competency-Based Assessment (CBA), which requires pretesting of examination items and psychometric analysis before use—unlike the old content-based curriculum.
CBC Producing Creative & Innovative Learners
Prof. Obua revealed that UNEB conducted a comprehensive study to evaluate how learners under the CBC differ from those under the previous curriculum. The findings, he said, confirm that the new curriculum is well-positioned to produce the kind of citizens Uganda needs to drive socio-economic transformation toward middle-income status.
“The results confirm this is a very good curriculum,” Prof. Obua stated, noting that learners under CBC are more capable of conducting research, constructing knowledge independently, demonstrating creativity, innovation, and communicating more effectively.
The study incorporated perspectives from school administrators, teachers, and learners themselves, providing empirical backing to earlier positive feedback about the curriculum.
Despite the progress, the UNEB Chairperson acknowledged several gaps that could impact effective implementation of the CBC. These include inadequate school libraries equipped with internet facilities to support learner research, large class sizes that limit individualized attention, and the financial burden associated with project work.
The study also pointed to limited time allocated for learners to conduct research and concerns over the integrity of Continuous Assessment (CA) scores submitted by some schools.
Prof. Obua emphasized that UNEB takes the integrity of assessment scores very seriously. He announced that the Board will institute a rigorous nationwide monitoring and evaluation exercise to ensure compliance with assessment guidelines and guarantee reliability of CA scores.
He further warned that schools that delay or fail to submit Continuous Assessment scores risk facing sanctions. Late submissions, often attributed to limited internet facilities or lack of technical expertise, put learners at risk of not being graded.
District Education Officers, Chief Administrative Officers, and teachers have been tasked with ensuring proper monitoring and timely submission of Continuous Assessment processes.
In a major relief to learners who may wish to retake examinations, Prof. Obua announced that repeat candidates will not be required to return to Senior Three. Instead, their previously submitted Senior Three Continuous Assessment and project scores will be retained and used.
“This decision addresses concerns raised by stakeholders and protects learners from unnecessary disruption,” he noted.
The release ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, including the Minister of State for Higher Education, Dr. J.C. Muyingo, who earlier in the week officiated at the swearing-in of UNEB’s 12th Governing Board—ensuring continuity in the Board’s functions.
As UNEB transitions further into full implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum, Prof. Obua expressed confidence that the reforms are firmly on course to reshape Uganda’s education landscape for the better.
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