Seven in 10 citizens experienced moderate or high levels of lived poverty during the previous year.
Key findings
- Nearly six in 10 Ugandans (56%) believe the country is going "in the right direction," up 6 percentage points since 2022.
- But the same proportion (56%) of citizens describe the country's economic condition as "fairly bad" or "very bad." o Compared to 12 months earlier, nearly half (48%) of Ugandans say the economy has gotten "worse" or "much worse," while the other half say it is better (30%) or unchanged (20%). o Four in 10 respondents (42%) expect things to get better over the next 12 months.
- Almost half (47%) of Ugandans say their personal living conditions are "fairly bad" or "very bad." More than half (55%) say they worsened during the previous year.
- Most Ugandans experienced some form of lived poverty during the previous year, including large majorities who say they or a family member went without a cash income (91%), medical care (74%), enough food (65%), and/or enough cooking fuel (64%) at least once. o Seven in 10 respondents (70%) experienced moderate or high levels of lived poverty during the previous 12 months.
- A majority of Ugandans are dissatisfied with the government's performance on key economic issues. More than half (54%) describe its management of the economy as "fairly bad" or "very bad," and larger majorities offer poor ratings on improving the living standards of the poor (58%), creating jobs (63%), narrowing gaps between rich and poor (76%), and keeping prices stable (80%).
- Economic issues take a back seat to public services in Ugandans' list of priorities for government action, led by health, education, infrastructure/roads, and water supply. But unemployment, poverty, the increasing cost of living, food shortage/famine, and management of the economy also rank among the top 12.
Uganda's economic growth has remained steady with visible improvements in infrastructure, such as better roads, increased electrification, and the expansion of public facilities (PwC, 2024). These developments, often associated with government initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM), create tangible evidence of progress and foster a sense of national advancement.
The country recorded 6% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023/2024, and projections indicate further acceleration as preparations for commercial oil production proceed (African Development Bank, 2024). Inflation declined to 3.2% in Fiscal Year 2024, reflecting improved macroeconomic conditions (World Bank, 2024), and the government has announced policies aimed at economic stability and revenue mobilisation, including plans to increase tax collections and reduce the budget deficit to 4.5% of GDP.
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Despite this positive trajectory, observers voice concerns about the government's economic management as rising public debt, which reached 52% of GDP in June 2023, and increasing debt-servicing costs raise questions about fiscal sustainability (Sanday, 2024). Persistent high rates of poverty and unemployment and high commodity prices add to public concerns (KPMG, 2024).
According to the latest Afrobarometer survey, a growing majority of Ugandans say the country is on the right track. But a majority still describe the country's economic condition as bad, and only half are optimistic that things will get better in the near future. Citizens' ratings of the government's performance on key economic issues remain overwhelmingly negative.
Caroline Nakayiza Caroline Nakayiza is a sampling assistant at Hatchile Consult Ltd.
Ategeka J. Kamara Ategeka J. Kamara is a research associate for Hatchile Consult Ltd.
