The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the 2026 national examination timetable, setting dates for candidates sitting the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE).
More than 1.6 million candidates have registered for the three national examinations, which are scheduled to take place between October and December 2026.
The timetable was announced by UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo while addressing journalists in Kampala on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
When will the 2026 UCE examinations begin?
The Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations will officially begin with a briefing of candidates by head teachers on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
According to UNEB, the briefing is mandatory and is intended to prepare candidates for the examination period, including the rules, requirements and conduct expected during the exams.
UCE candidates will then sit their first examination on Monday, October 12, 2026. The first papers will be Geography in the morning and Biology Theory in the afternoon.
2026 PLE examination dates
The Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) is scheduled to take place from Friday, October 30 to Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
The examination will be administered to primary school candidates across Uganda as they complete their primary education and prepare for the next level of schooling.
When will UACE 2026 examinations start?
The Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations will follow the PLE examinations.
According to the released timetable, UACE examinations will begin on Friday, November 7, 2026, and are expected to conclude on Friday, December 5, 2026.
UNEB registers more than 1.6 million candidates
UNEB has registered a total of 1,627,885 candidates for the three national examinations in 2026.
This represents an increase of 211,437 candidates, or 14.9 percent, compared with the 1,416,448 candidates registered in 2025.
Of the candidates registered for the 2026 examinations, 52 percent are female while 48 percent are male.
UCE candidature rises to 503,214
The number of candidates registered for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examination has also increased.
UNEB reported that UCE candidature rose from 432,163 candidates in 2025 to 503,214 in 2026, representing an increase of 16.4 percent.
UACE registration increases by 22.5 percent
The UACE examination recorded an increase in registration.
According to UNEB, the number of UACE candidates increased from 166,400 in 2025 to 203,875 in 2026, representing a 22.5 percent increase.
UNEB attributed the overall rise in examination candidature to improved completion rates, with more learners remaining in school and progressing to the next level of education.
Government-sponsored candidates and learners with special needs
UNEB said 52 percent of the total candidates are sponsored by the government through the Universal Education programmes at primary and secondary school levels.
The 2026 registration also includes 6,090 learners under Special Needs Education (SNE).
UNEB warns against examination malpractice and scammers
As preparations for the 2026 national examinations continue, UNEB has warned teachers, parents and guardians about individuals claiming to have access to examination papers.
The examination body cautioned the public against scammers who may demand money while claiming that they can provide UNEB examination papers before the scheduled examinations.
Candidates have also been reminded to maintain discipline throughout the examination period.
UNEB reminds candidates to follow school rules
UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo said being an examination candidate does not exempt a learner from following school rules and regulations.
He said UNEB does not support indiscipline and would not intervene on behalf of candidates who are suspended or dismissed from school because of disciplinary offences.
Candidates are therefore expected to observe both school regulations and UNEB examination requirements throughout the examination period.
Theme for the 2026 UNEB examinations
The 2026 national examinations will be conducted under the theme:
“Advancing Excellence in Assessment and Certification through secure, credible, inclusive and innovative processes.”
The theme highlights UNEB's stated focus on secure and credible assessment while promoting inclusive and innovative examination processes.
2026 UNEB examination dates at a glance
| Examination | Key date |
|---|---|
| UCE candidate briefing | Thursday, October 8, 2026 |
| UCE examinations begin | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| PLE examinations | Friday, October 30 – Wednesday, November 4, 2026 |
| UACE examinations begin | Friday, November 7, 2026 |
| UACE examinations end | Friday, December 5, 2026 |
What candidates should know
With the 2026 UNEB examinations approaching, candidates are expected to familiarize themselves with the examination timetable, follow instructions from their schools and observe all examination rules.
Parents and guardians have also been urged to remain vigilant against examination scams and claims that leaked or early examination papers are available.
The release of the timetable now provides candidates, schools and parents with the official schedule to guide preparations for the 2026 PLE, UCE and UACE examinations.
