The ministry of education has officially released the 2014 A Level results indicating a general improvement in performance at 98.4% compared to 97.4% recorded in 2013.
According to the UNEB Secretary Matthew Bukenya 64,100 candidates have qualified for university and tertiary institutions.
Bukenya says that results of 173 candidates have been withheld over suspected exam malpractice compared to only 34 in 2013.
Some of the affected schools include Lunar International School in Buyende district, Nsambya Hill Side in Wakiso, and Giant College Luweero district among others.
He also says that Arts subjects have been performed better than sciences, with girls outperforming their male counterparts this time round.
Buskenya says some of the best performed subjects are History, Economics, Islamic Education and Literature in English.
Urban schools have performed better than those in urban schools.
Worst performing districts included Adjumani with only 19 candidates scoring three principal passes, Katakwi only 8, Kotido 5, and Pader 11 among others.
The minister of education has directed the Uganda National Examinations Board to investigate the increasing cases of candidate absenteeism.
While releasing the 2014 UACE results this morning, minister Jesica Alupo has noted an upward trend in absenteeism which she said must be checked immediately.
According to the minister only 108,000 candidates sat for the exams in 2014 compared to 116,000 who sat in 2013.
Alupo says this shows a drop in the candidature by about 7,000.
UNEB is advising head teachers to go to its offices after 2pm to collect their candidates’ results or alternatively they could use the SMS platform by simply typing the word UACE, leave a space then type the Index Number and send to 6600.
Story by Herbert Zziwa
