Got your UACE results? This is what you should do
It is now one week since UNEB released results for UACE 2024. According to UNEB, a total of 141,996 candidates registered for UACE 2024 exams, and out of these, 54,338 (38.6%) obtained three principal passes. Furthermore, 37,935 (or 26.9%) got two principal passes. The minimum required for admission for undergraduate degree is two principal passes, this means, 92,273 candidates are eligible to join university.
Despite these good pass rate, the UACE results usually do not receive much fanfare and commentary like PLE and UCE results. This is partly because in Uganda, only a small percentage of people reach A-level, and therefore only a small percentage of Ugandans can properly understand and interpret A-level results.
Right now, those who have just received their UACE results have a lot going on in their minds. This includes those who have got principal passes, and subsidiary passes, or none at all. So, after getting your UACE results, so what? To answer that, this is what you should do.
STEP 1: Get your UACE Results (March)
Firstly, go get your results from school. Discuss with parents or guardians on the way forward. Also, discuss with your teachers’ the possibilities available for you to progress forward. Plan for post-secondary education together with your family. Most importantly, stay healthy & remain hopeful, and keep away from trouble.
STEP 2: Apply to Universities/Institutions (March-May)
After obtaining your results, this is what you need to do next. Choose programme of study (Science or Arts/Humanities), according to the passes you have obtained. Thereafter, choose university or institution with the study programme you have chosen. While doing this, you have to choose between public or private universities. Apply to at least two or more universities/institutions. Applying to only one university or institution is tricky, due to competition. You may have got good passes and points, but somehow fall below university cut off points, and you are not admitted. To avoid this, please apply to at least 2 or 3 universities / institutions.
If you have 2 or 3 principal passes, who can apply for degree programme (3-5 years depending on the course), and if you managed only 1 principal pass, and two subsidiary passes, you can apply for diploma programme (2 years). However, those who obtained only subsidiary passes in principal passes, who go to Higher Education Certificate (HEC), which is now the fourth pathway to the degree programme. And lastly, those with unconvincing passes (e.g. 2 points, 1 point) can opt to try again, and re-sit for UACE. Alternatively, they apply for two-year certificate programme using UCE results. What’s important here is academic progression, moving from one level to another. Also, when applying, start with study programme you want, then look for universities, and institutions that have that study programme. Starting with university/institution will restrict you to only programmes in that particular university or institution.
Today, most public & private university now have online application portals. To apply, simply Google search the name of the university, visit their website, and look for “Apply Now” link, which should lead to the admissions portal e.g. http://admissions.muni.ac.ug. Once there, create an account, login, and complete the online form, submit, and generate payment reference number. Go to nearest agent, or pay using mobile money. After payment, the online application status should change from “not paid”, to “paid.”
STEP 3: Get your Admission Letter (July)
If you are lucky and you got admitted, go and pick admission letter or download it from the admissions portal. Then, discuss with parents about tuition/cost of living etc. Continue to prepare for university/institution. Open bank account, buy a smartphone and a laptop. These digital devices today are very vital for university education. Most importantly, stay away from trouble. Even at this stage, please, prepare, prepare and continue preparing. If you were not admitted, decide on next step. Have must have a backup plan in place.
STEP 4: Go to University (August)
The academic year in public & some private universities starts in August. If you have been admitted, report to university/institution. Please attend lectures and study hard. You are now a campuser, as Ugandans call it. Again, keep healthy & stay away from trouble. While at university, build your skills & intellectual abilities. Get new friends, join clubs and societies. Work hard each semester, finish and finally graduate. This will make your parents proud.
Emmanuel Angoda is the founder of Triskelion Education and Skills Initiative (TESI), and teacher at Lira Town College
angodaemmanuel@gmail.com