The MIND is a monthly publication. It contains Indicators updated on Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly frequencies. Consequently, it is prepared with a lag of one month, owing to the need to compile data that has been officially released following the end of the preceding month. The same principle applies to the Quarterly and Yearly data.
This report highlights the intensification of the major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition: conflict, climate extremes and economic shocks, combined with growing inequalities. According to the Report, world hunger rose to as many as 828 million people in 2021 following a sharp upturn in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Severe food insecurity became more prevalent with 11.7% of the global population facing food insecurity at severe levels.
a) Electricity (Amendment) Act 2022.
Government continues to prioritize infrastructure development as an enabler of Uganda’s industrialization agenda by providing productive infrastructure for job and wealth creation. The Parish Development Model under the Infrastructure and Economic Services pillar places emphasis provision of necessary infrastructure to spur economic activities at the parish.
This policy brief explores innovative options available for infrastructure development financing in Uganda amidst the limited budget and competing demands in other sectors. It reveals that limited legal and regulatory frameworks, narrow tax base and a large informal sector as some of the impediments to revenue mobilization and as such pose financing challenges to infrastructure development in the country.
The digital revolution in Uganda poses positive indicators as a platform for achieving the goals of universal inclusion, sustainable development, economic progress and poverty eradication through digital innovation.
Uganda has made significant strides in creating an environment that enables ICT adoption and utilisation. This has resulted in increased mobile phone usage, internet penetration, and information and communication technologies.
The electricity Amendment Act, 2022 was enacted into law in May 2022 to resolve certain inconsistencies in the law (Electricity Act, 1999). The inconsistencies included: Lack of flexibility in the implementation of the Principal Act; lack of streamlined operations of the electricity sector; failure to effectively address issues relating to the responsibilities of institutions; inadequate compliance enforcement mechanisms; insufficient penalties for electricity theft and, vandalism of electrical facilities.
The report shows that financing of energy investments continues to fall behind the commitments, which reduces the chances of meeting the SDG7 energy access targets. In case of Uganda, the report indicates that there has been a slight improvement in finance disbursements albeit at a slow pace. However, the delayed disbursements are as a result of poor project designs and inadequate coordination in project implementation.
The report indicates progress in Global electrification rate estimated at 90 percent. This rate however, is unlikely to achieve indicator 7.1 unless the pace of growth in electrification accelerates to 0.9 percent annually.
The report further notes that regional electrification rates show different trends with Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern and south eastern Asia achieving 98 percent electrification. On the other hand, sub Saharan Africa achieved 46 percent in the same period where it accounts for three quarters of world population without access to electricity.
The report describes the dangers associated with Infrastructure disruptions with its effects on household well-being, business growth, health and education. It further states that a weak infrastructure stock poses multi-dimensional effects on private businesses as well as households.
