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When did UNEB release the national examination timetables?
Today, 16 September 2025, Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) has officially released the timetables for the 2025 national examinations, paving the way for more than 1.4 million learners across the country to prepare for their final assessments. This announcement marks a highly anticipated moment for schools, students, teachers, and parents who have been waiting eagerly for confirmation of when the exams will begin.
The national examinations will cover the three main levels: the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE). Each of these sets of exams will be conducted in a carefully scheduled sequence between October and November, with briefings and first papers lined up over the coming weeks.
Uneb Executive Director Mr. Daniel Odongo, while releasing the timetables, emphasized the importance of the candidate briefings that take place before the first papers. These sessions, he said, are mandatory and are intended to guide learners on the regulations, expectations, and conduct required during the examinations.
UCE to Begin First in October
The UCE examinations, traditionally the first set to be conducted, will start with the official briefing of candidates by head teachers on October 10, 2025. This briefing will ensure that students understand the dos and don’ts before they enter the exam halls.
Candidates will then sit for their first papers on October 13, beginning with Geography in the morning session, followed by Biology (Theory) in the afternoon. The UCE exams will run for nearly a month, with candidates expected to sit for their final papers on November 7. On that day, students will complete Technology and Design (Design and Drawing) in the morning and Arabic: Reading Comprehension and Writing in the afternoon.
PLE Scheduled for Early November
At the primary level, PLE candidates will first be briefed on October 31. This will be followed by the start of the examinations on Monday, November 3, 2025. On the opening day, pupils will sit for Mathematics in the morning and Social Studies and Religious Education in the afternoon.
The PLE, which runs for only two days, will then conclude on Tuesday, November 4. On this day, candidates will tackle Integrated Science in the morning before ending with English in the afternoon.
UACE to Close the National Exams Season
The UACE examinations will form the last phase of the 2025 national exams. Briefings for these candidates are scheduled for November 7, immediately after the conclusion of UCE papers.
The first UACE papers will be conducted on November 10. In the morning session, candidates will sit for Theory of Government and Constitutional Development, History of Africa, and Physics (Paper 1). The afternoon session will feature Literature in English (Prose & Poetry), Kiswahili, and Physics (Paper 2).
Anticipation and Significance
For months, students and teachers across the country have been anxiously waiting for the official timetables. These schedules not only provide a clear roadmap for revision but also bring a sense of certainty as schools enter the final phase of preparing candidates. With more than 1.4 million learners expected to sit for the exams this year, the release of the timetables has brought both relief and renewed focus.
The national examinations are a key milestone in Uganda’s education system. For PLE candidates, success will determine their transition to secondary education. UCE results mark the end of the O-Level cycle and a gateway to A-Level or vocational training, while UACE results open doors to university education and other higher learning opportunities.
As the countdown begins, students are expected to intensify their preparations, schools will step up final coaching sessions, and parents will rally behind their children to ensure success. The next two months will be crucial in shaping the academic futures of candidates across the country.
