Central Data Catalog

The Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) has been administered annually since 1980 by the Uganda National Examinations Board to grade 11 (ISCED 2) students in general education programmes in public and private schools.

The UCE is a high-stake and mandatory examination that certifies completion of lower secondary general education programmes. It is a requirement for students wishing to pursue an upper secondary education (ISCED 3).

The UCE is administered face-to-face. It comprises a written component, delivered through paper-pencil tests, an oral component, and practical applications. All test-takers are presented with the same cognitive booklets or tests, which are aligned with the national curriculum.

The UCE serves the following purposes:

- student certification for completion of lower secondary general education programmes

- student selection to higher education programmes or admission into specific courses or tracks

- school or educator accountability

- sub-national level monitoring of learning outcomes

- monitoring education quality levels

- planning education policy reforms

The UCE accommodates students with special needs, by providing the following arrangements:

- Hearing impairment: additional time, support staff, sign language interpreters

- Visual impairment: test materials with large font

- Language impairment: additional time and support staff

- Emotional disturbance: additional time and support staff

Census (all students at the given grades or ages)

Results are reported at the student, school, sub-national and national levels. Data are disaggregated by sex, geographic location (urban and rural), major cities and type of school (public and private).

Results are published in reports, which are available in print and online. Results are broadcasted on the radio and the television, and published in the media.