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.
The 2024 Census reaffirmed that agriculture remains the primary source of income and sustenance for most Ugandans. Approximately 61% of households are engaged in crop production, while 37% are involved in livestock farming. Subsistence farming accounts for 53% of agricultural activities, whereas 17% of households engage in commercial agriculture.
In Q2 FY2024/25, Uganda recorded a trade deficit of $162.5 million within the East African Community (EAC), with exports totalling $631 million and imports reaching $793.5 million. This marks a significant deterioration from the previous quarter when the deficit stood at $134.5 million.
Uganda’s largest trade deficit was with Tanzania, where exports totalled $54.3 million, while imports were significantly higher at $551.3 million (mainly composed of gold), resulting in a trade deficit of $497.0 million.
Uganda received 39 of Uganda’s Cultural heritage artefacts that had for over 100 years been kept in the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge University, United Kingdom.
