Regional trade dynamics within the East African Community (EAC) have shifted dramatically, with South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) displacing Kenya as Uganda’s primary export destinations in Africa. Monthly central bank figures revealed South Sudan taking the top spot after importing US$55.9million worth of Ugandan goods in a single month a 54% jump from previous periods while the DRC followed closely in second place at US$45.4million.

In October 2025, Uganda became the first African country to secure a result-based climate finance of $31 million from Green Climate Fund (GCF) at the 43^rd meeting of the GCF Board in Songdo, Republic of Korea following its successful forest conservation between 2016 and 2017.

The funding rewards proven reductions in harmful emissions and Uganda achieved verified emission reductions totaling to over 8 million tonnes of CO2, a figure that translates into the climate benefit of nurturing 133 million new tree seedlings for a decade.

In 2025, Gold has emerged as Uganda’s leading export, accounting for 76.6% of total export earnings. In the year ending October 2025, the Bank of Uganda recorded a year-on-year increase of USD 5.21 billion in export receipts, largely driven by gold.

Coffee is now Uganda’s largest export, a backbone for rural livelihoods, and the country’s most visible global brand. Latest figures from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) indicate that the country exported 7.93 million 60-kg bags in the twelve months to August 2025, valued at US$ 2.24 billion – a 58.7% increase in value compared to the previous year.

Over the first half of Vision 2040 (2010 to 2025), the share of households in the subsistence economy more than halved, reducing from 69 percent in 2014 to 33 percent in 2024. This rate of reduction validates Vision 2040 – “A Transformed Ugandan Society from a Peasant to a Modern and Prosperous Country within 30 years”. Per capita income more than doubled over the same period, from USD506 in FY2010/11 to USD1,263 in FY2024/25.

Uganda emerged as the continent’s leading coffee exporter, setting unprecedented records in May 2025 by surpassing Ethiopia with 47,606.7 tonnes of coffee. This milestone saw a 43.59% year-on-year increase and pushed annual export values past USD2billion, which evidences Uganda’s relentless drive for quality and value addition.

Electricity consumption per capita is on a rapid rise, growing at an annual rate of 14%. Projections indicate an increase from approximately 80 kWh per capita in 2024 to around 1,750 kWh by 2050, aligning with current levels in countries like Egypt.

https://www.iea.org/reports/uganda-energy-transition-plan/executive-summary

Uganda’s installed capacity has remained on an upward trend for more than a decade. By 2024, Uganda's installed electricity generation capacity reached approximately 2,048 MW, marking a 63.7% increase from 1,251 MW in 2020. This growth is largely attributed to the commissioning of major hydroelectric projects like the Isimba (183 MW) and Karuma (600 MW) dams.

Findings of the National population and Housing Census 2024 revealed that 60 percent of Ugandans still live in informal settlements or inadequate housing conditions. The gap is driven by rapid urbanization, population growth, and economic disparities. Closing this housing gap is a big investment opportunity under the tenfold growth strategy. Annually, over 1,000,000 Ugandans are born, putting pressure on the country’s housing sector.

Land-related crimes still pose an obstacle to economic development. These crimes encompass fraudulent land title acquisitions, criminal trespass, and illegal evictions, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities, particularly in the Central and Western regions. The Annual Crime Report 2024 revealed a rise in land related crime with additional 126 cases compared to 2023, translating to 46.5 percent increase in land-related crimes.