Strong growth, new momentum

Uganda’s economy is growing significantly faster than the average in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, the high rate of population growth – which has so far hampered any significant reduction in poverty – is slowly declining. At the same time, major projects in the oil, energy and transport infrastructure are providing a growth stimulus.

For instance, oil production is set to begin in Lake Albert before the end of this year. This controversial, multi-billion project is the largest investment in the history of the Central African country. The extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to the port of Mombasa in Kenya is also expected to boost economic momentum.

Corruption remains a barrier to investment (see below). Furthermore, it is unclear for how long President Yoweri Museveni, the 81-year-old who was re-elected in January and has ruled autocratically since 1986, will be able to maintain political stability.

Economy. According to Germany Trade & Invest, Uganda’s economy is expected to grow by 7.5 per cent this year. For 2027 and 2028, economists predict 8,2 and 7.0 per cent growth. The gross domestic product per capita rose in the last 20 years from the equivalent of 330 to 1206 US-Dollars. National debt has reached 55 per cent of GDP, inflation is also moderate.

Population. Uganda has around 52 million inhabitants; the population recently grew at an annual rate of 2.7 per cent. This rate is set to decrease to 2.4 per cent by 2030. In the last 20 years, the fertilty rate has fallen from 6.5 to 4.2 children per woman.

Life expectancy was at 68 years recently (twenty years ago: 55). 55,3 per cent of the inhabitants have access to electricity (twenty years ago: around 8,9 per cent).

Governance. On Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index, Uganda ranks 148th out of 180 countries. The score has fallen by one point to 25, bringing the country on par with Madagascar.

Sources and further information:

World Bank: https://data.worldbank.org/country/uganda

Germany Trade & Invest: https://www.gtai.de/de/trade/uganda-wirtschaft/wirtschaftsdaten-kompakt#/UGA/overview

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2025/