KAMPALA— In the quiet of living rooms, on crowded commuter taxis, and across the open-air markets of Uganda, a silent consensus is forming. Citizens are not just enduring hardship—they are cataloguing it. A new Sauti Factsheet on Priorities (Feb.–Mar. 2025) offers a rare, data-driven glimpse into what Ugandans really think is going wrong, both at the national level and inside their homes. The findings speak volumes about the intersection of politics, public service, and everyday survival—and offer a clear call to action for leaders.
At a glance, the nation’s top concerns appear to be familiar ones: unemployment, the rising cost of living, failing health services, hunger, and corruption. But dig deeper, and the picture becomes far more complex—and urgent.
Hunger at the Doorstep, Unemployment at the Gate
When asked what affects their households the most, 40 percent of Ugandans pointed to hunger as their top concern. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a warning. Hunger, often framed as a rural or seasonal problem, is now a year-round, national crisis affecting both urban and rural populations. Closely behind, 39 percent flagged unemployment, underscoring a double-edged struggle: no food on the table, and no jobs to afford what food there is.
Interestingly, unemployment and hunger mirror each other across national and household levels, suggesting that the macroeconomic and personal spheres are tightly intertwined. While economic policy discussions often revolve around GDP and inflation rates, for the average Ugandan, the conversation is more visceral: Can I feed my children tonight? Can I find work tomorrow?
Health and Education: Still on Life Support
Health services remain a stubborn sore point. Even after the worst of COVID-19, 39 percent of respondents still say healthcare is one of the country’s biggest problems. At the household level, that concern drops slightly to 34 percent, but still remains top-tier. It’s not surprising. Uganda’s health infrastructure has long struggled with underfunding, equipment shortages, and an overburdened workforce.
The quality of education also emerges as a notable household concern, with 21 percent citing it as a priority. While this figure may seem lower compared to hunger or health, its presence signals a growing recognition that the country’s future rests on more than just feeding people—it depends on educating them.
Corruption and the Trust Deficit
Corruption has long haunted Uganda’s political narrative, and it continues to do so in 2025. At the national level, 27 percent of respondents cited it as a core concern, on par with hunger. It reflects not just frustration, but fatigue. Over the years, anti-corruption campaigns have come and gone, often with much fanfare but little follow-through. For most citizens, the belief that public officials use state coffers for personal gain is no longer a suspicion—it’s a working assumption.
This erosion of trust is no small matter. It seeps into every other domain—tax compliance, public service delivery, and the legitimacy of government action. When 74 percent of Ugandans say the government is failing to fight corruption, they are also saying: We don’t believe the system is working for us.
A Shift in Focus: From Economics to Systems
What’s striking in the 2025 Sauti data is a noticeable shift in issue salience. In 2023, Ugandans’ focus was overwhelmingly on the economy—unemployment and inflation topped the list. But by 2025, while still critical, these concerns now share space with systemic issues like health, hunger, and corruption.
This shift doesn’t mean the economy has improved. Rather, it suggests that citizens are widening their lens. COVID-19 exposed the fragility of public systems; floods, droughts, and inflation have underscored how weak infrastructure magnifies crises. Ugandans are now more aware that governance and service delivery are just as important as economic numbers.
A Mixed Report Card for Government
Not all is doom and gloom. The factsheet also reveals measurable improvement in some areas. Government approval for job creation efforts has risen from a meagre 19 percent in 2017 to 35 percent in 2025. Satisfaction with the quality of education has jumped from 35 percent in 2021 to 63 percent today. Crime control efforts also appear to be gaining traction, with 65 percent expressing confidence in the government’s handling of the issue.
But these gains are tempered by persistent dissatisfaction elsewhere. Inflation remains a particularly sore spot. A whopping 72 percent say the government is doing a poor job of controlling prices—a reflection of how deeply inflation eats into daily life. Similarly, 64 percent feel the government’s employment creation initiatives still fall short, and anti-corruption efforts are viewed as woefully inadequate by nearly three-quarters of the population.
In other words, the public sees improvement—but not enough. And certainly not fast enough.
Tax Compliance and the Fragile Social Contract
The report also peeks into a more philosophical question: Why do Ugandans pay taxes? The answers reveal both hope and skepticism. The majority (64 percent) say they pay because they believe it supports public services. This is encouraging—it shows that many still view taxation as a civic duty tied to the common good. But a substantial 27 percent say they pay taxes purely out of obligation, not belief in the system.
Socioeconomic differences further complicate the picture. Wealthier Ugandans are more likely to see taxes as a contribution to society, while poorer citizens view them as an unavoidable burden. This reflects a trust gap: those who see benefits from the system are more likely to support it. Those who don’t, simply comply to avoid penalties.
This insight is vital for policymakers. If citizens do not see where their taxes go—or worse, if they believe taxes are siphoned off through corruption—the entire revenue system risks collapsing under cynicism.
The Path Forward: Urgency Meets Opportunity
So, what do these numbers tell us beyond the obvious? They reveal a society that is politically conscious, emotionally exhausted, but not without hope. Ugandans are not blind to the progress made—but they are clear-eyed about what remains undone.
Government and development partners must read this moment carefully. It’s a window of opportunity. Improve transparency in tax usage. Tackle corruption not just with slogans, but with high-profile prosecutions. Strengthen food systems and health services in ways that people can actually feel. Use education gains as a springboard for deeper reforms.
The needs are urgent, yes—but they are also surmountable. In a country where hunger, health, jobs, and trust all compete for attention, action cannot be one-dimensional. It must be integrated, sustained, and grounded in what the people are telling us.
