KAMPALA: Economic concerns, particularly inflation and the high cost of living have emerged as the most pressing issues for citizens across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, according to a newly updated report, A Compendium of Ten Years of Sauti za Wananchi. The report, which encapsulates a decade of public opinion across these three East African nations, highlights that economic challenges have consistently topped the list of citizens’ concerns.
In all three countries, inflation and the cost of living are the most significant worries, with unemployment and hunger also ranking high, particularly during times of food insecurity. The report notes, “Across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, citizens have consistently pointed to economic concerns when asked about the biggest problems facing their country.”
Corruption and governance issues remain significant in Uganda, where they rank relatively high among citizens’ concerns, in contrast to Kenya and Tanzania, where such concerns have waned over the past decade. In Uganda, public services, particularly health, have consistently ranked high on the list of concerns, ahead of transport, education, and water.
The report also sheds light on the varied sources of household income across the three countries. In Uganda, agriculture dominates as the main source of income for 69 percent of households, whereas in Tanzania, agriculture and self-employment/business are almost equally reported as primary income sources. Kenya, on the other hand, sees a more diverse distribution, with casual work being the most common source of income, followed by agriculture, self-employment, and formal employment.
Citizen sentiment regarding the overall direction of their countries has fluctuated over the past decade, largely influenced by national events and leadership transitions. In Tanzania, for example, public opinion shifted significantly with changes in presidential leadership, while in Kenya and Uganda, the swings have been less pronounced, though recent data suggests a slight upswing in positivity in Kenya.
Despite current economic hardships, citizens across these countries have shown optimism about their future economic prospects. For instance, in Uganda, while only 18 percent of citizens rated their household’s economic situation as good in 2020, half believed their situation would improve within a year. Similarly, in Kenya, while only 7 percent felt the country was in good economic shape in 2022, a majority (63%) were optimistic about the future.
The report highlights significant challenges faced by business owners in the region. In Kenya, high input costs and low demand are the primary concerns, while Ugandan entrepreneurs struggle most with accessing finance. Despite these challenges, Tanzanians report a more positive outlook on their business environment compared to their Kenyan and Ugandan counterparts, reflecting a broader confidence in their country’s political and economic stability.
Food stress remains a critical issue across the region, with a significant portion of the population reporting they have gone without food due to financial constraints. The report underscores that “a significant proportion of citizens report experiencing food stress, including around 25-40% who have recently had to go for a whole day without eating due to a lack of money or other resources.”
As East Africa continues to navigate these economic challenges, the insights from the Sauti za Wananchi report provide a vital snapshot of public opinion, shedding light on the key issues that shape the lives of citizens in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.