BUVUMA'S GROWTH IN PLE PERFORMANCE- BEST PERFORMERS TO BE REWARDED
By: Wasswa Zebio, Communication Officer, Buvuma
Buvuma District’s performance in the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) over the last 15 years tells a story of steady recovery, resilience and remarkable progress.
An analysis of the district’s results from 2010 to 2025 shows a clear upward trend, particularly in pass rates (Division 1–4), reduction in failures (Div.U), and a significant decline in absentee candidates (Div.X).
In 2010, Buvuma registered 377 candidates with a strong 94% pass rate. However, the years that followed saw fluctuations, with pass rates dropping to 76% in 2011 and stabilizing in the mid-80s for much of the decade. Despite the challenges of being an island district with limited infrastructure, the district gradually strengthened its academic standing.
Between 2014 and 2019, total candidature consistently rose above 580, peaking at 681 in 2020. Although 2020 recorded a slight dip in pass rate to 83.9%, the district demonstrated resilience in the post-COVID period. Notably, 2021 examinations were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but recovery thereafter has been impressive.
From 2022 onward, Buvuma’s performance entered a new phase of growth. The pass rate climbed to 88.2% in 2022, 91% in 2023, and reached an impressive 95.8% in 2024 — the highest in the district’s recorded history. In 2025, although the pass rate slightly adjusted to 92.3%, the total number of candidates increased significantly from 595 in 2024 to 686 in 2025, demonstrating both expanded access and sustained quality performance.
Equally important is the steady reduction in Div.X — candidates who registered but did not turn up for examinations. From as high as 43 in 2015 and 41 in 2010, the number dropped sharply to just 8 in 2025. This indicates improved learner retention, better supervision, and strengthened school follow-up mechanisms.
Failures (Div.U) have also reduced compared to earlier years when figures rose above 100 in some instances, such as 118 in 2015 and 113 in 2020. In 2025, failures stood at 52 despite the increase in candidature, signaling improved academic support systems across schools.
Performance in the higher grades has also strengthened. Division One candidates, who were as low as 3 in 2020, rose to 19 in 2023 and remained steady at 13 in 2025. Meanwhile, Division Two and Three continue to form a strong performance base for the district.
It is against this backdrop of steady academic transformation that education stakeholders convened to reflect on the gains made.
In a meeting held at the Buvuma District Local Government Headquarters on 17th February 2026, convened by the Chief Administrative Officer, Headteachers and Deputies of bothe Primary and secondary schools, secondary school teachers and upper primary school teachers attended.
Leaders led by the District Chairperson Wasswa Adrian Ddungu noted that Buvuma's performance has improved over years since the islands attained the District status.
" We used to search our position from the bottom of the performance ranking table. However, Buvuma is no longer among the worst performers. We have improved so much" Ddungu clarified.
The data strongly supports this assertion. Over the years, the district has moved from struggling with fluctuating pass rates and high absenteeism to becoming one of the steadily improving performers nationally.
Eight out of the 18 centres earned a 100% pass in 2025 PLE. It was upon this that the District Education Officer pledged to start rewarding the best performers as a way of recognition.
The 2025 results are particularly notable because the district not only increased candidature by 91 learners compared to 2024, but still maintained a pass rate above 92%, showing that expansion has not compromised quality.
Buvuma also performed well in the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) performance for 2025.
The Chief Administrative Officer, Mbooge Isa urged the headteachers to always follow up to ensure that the learners they release continue at the next level of education.
"I want you to take interest and follow up on the progress of your learners when they join secondary school" Mbooge urged.
"As we proceed this year, I want you to uphold professionalism. I want you to ensure attendance to duty." He added
The district’s trajectory demonstrates that deliberate leadership, improved supervision, reduced absenteeism, and strengthened accountability among teachers are yielding measurable results.
With rising candidature, declining absentee rates, improved pass percentages, and growing excellence across examination centres, Buvuma District’s education sector is steadily transforming from a once-struggling system into a model of consistent progress among island districts in Uganda.
