How to equate academic qualifications in Uganda

Arriving in Uganda as a refugee or forced migrant raises the crucial question of how to continue your academic journey or seek employment with qualifications earned in your home country.

Often, organisations and academic institutions may require assurance that your qualifications meet their minimum admission standards.

In Uganda, the recognition of foreign qualifications is dependent upon the acceptance and determination of their equivalent value within the local grading system.

Consequently, it becomes essential to undertake the process of equating your certificates to the Ugandan grading system and translating them into English, the official language in Uganda.

This process is applicable at various levels, including primary, secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional levels.

The Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) handles the equating of foreign academic qualifications at the primary and secondary levels, ensuring alignment with Ugandan standards.

Undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications are equated by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

Equating primary and secondary level qualifications

To have your academic qualifications equated, follow the procedure below;

Have your academic qualification documents (e.g. certificates) translated into English by the Embassy of your respective country or any other recognized translating institution. Translations are also done at Makerere University School Center for Language and Communication Services.

Application for equating can be done through UNEB e-services portal, which can be accessed at https://eservices.uneb.ac.ug.

After translating the documents into English, visit the UNEB services portal at and do the following:

• Complete Application Form
• Fill and sign the Declaration form downloadable from the UNEB portal.
• Attach a clear photocopy of a valid personal identification document (e.g. passport or national ID).
• Request the National Examination Body that issued the academic qualification document to send a verified/certified copy addressed to the Executive Director, UNEB by emailing at [e-mail].
• For applicants from South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia, the letters of verification and confirmation of results can be obtained from their respective Embassies in Kampala.
• Provide the telephone number, postal and e-mail address of the institution that awarded the academic qualification.
• Provide the telephone number, postal and e-mail address of the institution that requires the equated results.
• UNEB will verify the documents and you will pay for the equating process.
• Each document from East Africa will be charged Uganda shillings 200,000/= (two hundred thousand), while those from outside East Africa will be charged 250,000/= (two hundred fifty thousand) payable through Airtel/MTN Mobile Money or Bank Deposits. An invoice/Payment advice will be generated for the applicant before payment made.
• UNEB shall accept to process the application for equating only after the invoice has been paid.
• The equating process takes minimum five working days from the date of payment. Notifications shall be sent via SMS /email to the applicant.
• The equated documents shall be sent directly to the requesting institution.
• UNEB shall not be held liable for any forgeries and alteration of equated results.
• No refund shall be made for equated documents.

N.B. The person applying for equating of academic qualification is responsible for the authenticity and accuracy of the academic qualification document submitted for equating.

Equating undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications

Undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications are equated by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). Applications can be submitted online via the NCHE website or offline at the NCHE office at Plot M834, Kigobe Road – Kyambogo, Kampala.

To apply for equation, you will need the following:

• A duly filled form and application letter
• Original and certified copies of Certificates and Transcripts
• Copies of National Identity (ID), Passport or Refugee ID
• Evidence of payment
• Where there are changes in names, provide an affidavit stamped by Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB)
• Where the qualifications are not in English, translation of the copies should be obtained.

Applications should be submitted during working days (Monday to Friday) and during working time (8am-5pm)

Letters of recognition/Equation will take up to 3 months. If an applicant does not hear from NCHE after that period they may make an inquiry through the institutions mobile phone number [phone]/1.

For more information: 

Contact Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB)

Plot 35 Martyr’s way Ntinda,

P.O Box 7066, Kampala Uganda

Toll Free: 0800111427

BILLED: 0414286635

[e-mail]

Contact the National Council for Higher Education

Plot M834, Kigobe Road – Kyambogo

P.O. Box 76 Kyambogo – Kampala

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Website: www.unche.or.ug

A sample of a UACE certificate awarded by UNEB.

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