The United Nations- Uganda Analysis report presents the recent national development story, including three strategic imperatives, and a set of 10 acceleration pathways. It focuses on what must shift in policies, systems and delivery to move Uganda towards a more prosperous, resilient and inclusive future. Despite uncertainties, there is progress to build on. In 2023, the Sustainable Development Report gave Uganda a score of 56.1. This is a modest improvement from 2020, but slightly above the Sub‑Saharan Africa average of 53.7. Nutrition, food security and poverty remain areas of concern. The prevalence of undernourishment is estimated at 36.9 percent and recent estimates suggest 71.2 percent of the population is experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity. Poverty has declined over the long term but remains persistent, and the gains are uneven. The multidimensional poverty rate in rural areas is 50 percent, nearly three times higher than the urban rate. Environmental pressure is intensifying. Roughly 41 percent of land is affected by degradation, with the associated economic losses estimated at about US$2.3 billion annually. Forest cover loss has been driven largely by biomass demand and land-use change. Financing needs are sizeable, and the fiscal space is constrained, however, domestic revenue effort is improving. The government revenue (excluding grants) as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is currently estimated at 14.4 percent, reflecting gradual improvements in domestic resource mobilization. Investor interest has risen, with foreign direct investment inflows estimated at approximately US$3.0 billion in 2023.
The UN Country Analysis highlights three strategic imperatives. First, anchor growth in competitive value chains and productive jobs by linking infra‑ structure, energy, finance, skills and standards into a single industrial policy package. Second, protect people and the economy from recurrent shocks by investing in climate resilience and adaptive social protection that prevents households from sliding into poverty. Third, strengthen institutions, particularly public financial management, local government capacity and transparent data systems, to raise the return on every shilling invested. When pursued together, these three imperatives will help accelerate achievement of multiple SDG targets, including reducing poverty and food insecurity, widening the domestic fiscal space and reinforcing social cohesion.
This summary report presents 10 acceleration pathways to help Uganda achieve the SDGs. These pathways are aligned to Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan and reflect Uganda’s comparative advantages – its people, location and natural resources. Five of these pathways carry especially high catalytic potential: inclusive and sustainable industrialization; full employment and decent work; climate resilience and disaster risk management; universal social protection and human capital; and effective, accountable and transparent institutions. The other five are enabling pathways that will help sustain and scale gains: sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity; water, sanitation and a healthy environment; digital transformation and energy access; regional integration and refugee‑host solutions; and partnerships, financing and data for delivery.
For more insights, please visit the link below: