Author: C-News Bureau Chief

Kampala: Uganda’s Population and Housing Census has unveiled significant demographic shifts, positioning the country for strategic planning and evidence-based decision-making. The census, which is the largest peacetime national operation, revealed that Uganda’s population has surged by 11.3 million since 2014, growing from 34.6 million to 45.9 million, including 780,061 refugees. The number of households has also seen a substantial rise: 2002: 5,043,000 households 2014: 7,245,245 households 2024: 10,845,119 households The demographic profile of Uganda underscores its status as a young country, with children (0-17 years old) making up 50.5% or 22.95 million of the population, youth (18-30 years) constituting 22.7%,…

Kampala: Uganda’s economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience despite facing multiple successive shocks. According to the 23rd edition of the Uganda Economic Update released by the World Bank on June 27; real GDP growth accelerated from 5.3 percent in FY22/23 to an estimated 6 percent in FY23/24. This growth has been driven by various sectors, with significant contributions from oil-related construction activities and the mining and quarrying sectors. Sustained increases in gold prices and improvements in the domestic environment for artisanal mining have further bolstered these sectors. “Despite the challenges, Uganda’s economy has shown a commendable level of resilience,” said a…

KAMPALA: The recent Public Sector Transformation Programme Semi-Annual Budget Monitoring Report for the financial year 2023/24 reveals a mixed bag of successes and ongoing challenges in enhancing public accountability and compliance among Ugandan leaders and officials. According to the report, the overall performance of the intervention was deemed fair, achieving a 54% success rate. A major focus of the year’s initiatives included the investigation and completion of 100 breaches of the leadership code. The Inspector General (IG) notably exceeded this target by concluding 156 investigations, which led to the prosecution of 42 public officials and the recovery of approximately 43.3…

KAMPALA: Various financial inflows have significantly influenced Uganda’s economic growth, notably remittances, foreign direct investment (FDI), tourism revenues, and export earnings. Each source plays a distinct role in shaping the economic landscape, offering valuable insights into the country’s development trajectory. Remittances, sent by Ugandans working abroad have become a multi-billion-dollar cash cow for Uganda, injecting substantial capital into the economy, and bolstering household incomes. FDI brings in much-needed capital, technology, and expertise, fostering industrial growth and job creation. Tourism revenues, derived from Uganda’s rich natural and cultural attractions, contribute to foreign exchange earnings and stimulate local businesses. Export earnings from…

A total of 205 km was added to the paved road network during FY2023/24, increasing the total paved national road network to 6,338 km, representing over 30 percent of the national road network, Uganda’s Minister for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Matia Kasaija, has said. In his budget speech for the financial year 2024-2025, Kasaija highlighted several key road projects completed during the financial year. These include Atiak-Laropi, Masindi-Biiso, and Rukungiri-Kihihi-Ishasha/Kanungu roads. Additionally, strategic bridges such as the Kampala Flyover and Saaka Swamp Crossing were completed, showcasing the government’s commitment to improving the country’s infrastructure. While these developments are commendable,…

KAMPALA: The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project is making significant strides, with 500 km of the pipeline already delivered in Tanzania. According to Matia Kasaija, Uganda’s Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the target is to lay 100 km per month. In his budget speech for the Financial Year 2024/2025, Kasaija outlined the roadmap toward the first oil in FY 2025/26, highlighting both achievements and future plans. “Uganda is progressing steadily towards the first oil in FY 2025/26,” Kasaija stated. He highlighted several milestones, including advancements in the Upstream Petroleum Project with ongoing drilling works in preparation…

KAMPALA: Uganda has increasingly regained its position among the top ten best tourism destinations globally, according to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Matia Kasaija. In his Budget Speech for the Financial Year 2024/2025, Kasaija revealed that international tourist arrivals surged by 56 percent to 1.274 million in 2023, up from 814,085 arrivals in 2022 and approaching the peak of 1.52 million in 2019. Themed “Full Monetisation of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialization, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation, and Market Access,” Kasaija’s speech highlighted robust government interventions aimed at boosting the tourism sector. Kasaija noted that…

KAMPALA: In a significant break from past trends, gold has emerged as Uganda’s leading export, accounting for approximately 75.7 percent of all export earnings. This was highlighted by Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in his Budget Speech for the Financial Year 2024/2025. Themed “Full Monetisation of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialization, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation, and Market Access,” Kasaija detailed the robust performance of Uganda’s exports and the positive impact of the government’s Export Promotion Strategy. “Gold has trumped all other exports to become the leading foreign exchange earner for Uganda,” Kasaija announced,…

KAMPALA: In his Budget Speech for the Financial Year 2024/2025, themed “Full Monetisation of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialization, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation, and Market Access,” Finance Minister Matia Kasaija highlighted Uganda’s robust economic recovery. He noted that Uganda’s economy has bounced back from several internal and external shocks over the past four years, with GDP projected to grow by six percent in the financial year 2023/24, up from 5.3 percent in FY2022/23. This growth rate significantly surpasses the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 3.8 percent and the global average of 2.9 percent projected for 2024. “Uganda’s economy…

KAMPALA: In a statement, the Minister of State for Gender, Labour, and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs, Balaam Barugahare Atenyi, highlighted the persistent issue of child labour, calling it an endemic global challenge. Referencing a joint report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Barugahare noted, “One in 10 children aged 5 and above were involved in child labour worldwide, equating to an estimated 160 million children, or 63 million girls and 97 million boys. In Africa, the situation is not any better. ILO estimates that 92 million children aged…