ANT’s Bold Economic Plan: Jobs, Industry, and Inclusive Growth ANT’s manifesto presents a bold reimagining of Uganda’s economy, anchored in agriculture, driven by industrialisation, grounded in fiscal discipline, and focused on inclusive growth. Its feasibility remains uncertain, but by placing production, debt responsibility, and equity at the core of its agenda, ANT positions itself as a serious contender in shaping the country’s economic future.

The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) has an ambitious plan to reset Uganda’s economic trajectory.

In its manifesto, the party, led by Gen Gregory Mugisha Muntu, promises to steer the country away from what it calls a “consumption-driven, debt-laden model” towards a production-led economy.

ANT argues that Uganda is endowed with natural resources and a youthful population that could drive transformation.

Yet poor governance, corruption, and misplaced priorities have left millions trapped in poverty.

Agriculture as the driver

At the heart of ANT’s economic vision lies agriculture, which employs the majority of Ugandans.

The party insists that no country has ever developed without first transforming its agricultural base.

To achieve this, ANT proposes to organise farmers into cooperatives to improve bargaining power and economies of scale.

It promises to expand access to affordable credit so that smallholder farmers can purchase inputs, invest in irrigation, and modernise production.

The manifesto stresses that value addition will be made mandatory before exports.

This will ensure that commodities such as coffee, cotton, tea, and hides are processed locally rather than exported raw.

ANT argues that Uganda’s continued reliance on exporting raw commodities is a recipe for low earnings.

“We cannot continue exporting cheap raw coffee and importing expensive finished products,” the party argues in its manifesto.

Local processing, it says, will raise incomes, create rural jobs, and boost exports.

The party promises to revive agricultural extension services and guarantee minimum prices for farmers.

By linking agriculture directly to industry, ANT believes Uganda can build sustainable value chains that feed both domestic and export markets.

Industrialisation and job creation

Uganda’s industrial base remains weak, contributing just about 20% to GDP.

ANT wants to raise this to over 30% by 2031, through deliberate agro-processing, light manufacturing, and small-to-medium enterprises.

It pledges to revamp existing industrial parks and attract credible investors to build processing plants.

It further promises to strengthen the Uganda Export Promotion Board, which has since been merged with the Free Economic Export Zones Authority, so it can identify and secure external markets.

In tackling the problem of youth unemployment, which stands at over 60% in some urban areas, ANT proposes apprenticeships.

These will target will provide youth with entrepreneurship funds and better access to affordable credit.

The manifesto acknowledges the mismatch between education and employment and promises to align vocational training with industrial demand.

It further pledges tax breaks and support for small businesses, which it describes as the backbone of job creation.

Infrastructure and energy reform

High production costs are one of the biggest obstacles to doing business in Uganda.

ANT highlights the high cost of transport and energy as central barriers to competitiveness.

To address this, the manifesto outlines major investments in road maintenance and expansion, revival of the neglected rail system, new investments in water transport, and the promotion of affordable domestic flights to improve connectivity.

On energy, ANT recognises Uganda’s paradox: generation capacity has expanded, yet tariffs remain high and supply unreliable.

The party vows to renegotiate costly power generation contracts, cut tariffs for households and small firms, and expand renewable sources such as solar and small hydropower.

Access to reliable, affordable energy, ANT says, is not only a business issue but also a social justice imperative.

Trade and investment

Uganda’s export basket remains narrow, dominated by raw commodities such as coffee, gold, and fish.

ANT pledges to diversify exports into processed and manufactured goods, supporting industries that substitute imports and create jobs.

While welcoming foreign investment, the party argues that Uganda’s incentive regime has long favoured multinationals at the expense of local entrepreneurs.

It promises to level the playing field by ensuring Ugandan firms get equal access to credit, tax relief, and government contracts.

Regionally, ANT says Uganda is not fully exploiting opportunities in the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

It promises to strengthen negotiations to secure better access and position Uganda as a hub for intra-African trade.

Tackling debt and fiscal discipline

The manifesto paints a stark picture of Uganda’s public debt, which has ballooned to over UGX 90 trillion by 2024.

ANT calls this trend “mortgaging Uganda’s future” and pledges to restore fiscal discipline.

The party promises to renegotiate unfair and expensive loans, reduce reliance on external borrowing.

It also pledges to broaden the tax base by formalising enterprises and making taxation more equitable.

According to ANT, Uganda has consistently spent more than it earns, leading to persistent deficits.

The manifesto insists that the state must live within its means, prioritising productive investment over administrative consumption.

Reforming the Central Bank

On monetary policy, ANT argues that Uganda’s current central bank framework is too narrow, focusing only on price stability.

The manifesto calls for an independent and reformed Bank of Uganda with a broader mandate that also includes growth support.

“Price stability alone is not enough,” the party states. “Our central bank must support production, investment, and job creation.”

Inclusive and equitable growth

Beyond macroeconomic numbers, ANT stresses that growth must be inclusive.

The manifesto highlights deep regional disparities, youth unemployment, and underfunded social services as evidence that too many Ugandans have been left behind.

It promises to increase funding for education and healthcare, expand social safety nets for vulnerable groups, and target investment in underserved regions to reduce inequality.

The party’s framework links production, industry, trade, and social services in a virtuous cycle.

Agriculture feeds industry, industry drives trade and exports, revenues finance social services, and social services build human capital to sustain productivity.

Fighting corruption and strengthening institutions

Central to ANT’s economic promise is the fight against corruption. The manifesto argues that trillions are lost every year through waste and graft, resources that could fund infrastructure, schools, and hospitals.

ANT pledges zero tolerance for corruption, strengthened oversight, and independent institutions capable of holding officials accountable.

Bold projections

ANT’s economic projections aim to dramatise the contrast between Uganda’s present and its potential future.

The party promises to raise GDP growth from the current 4–5% to 7–8%, lift the industry’s share of GDP from 20 to over 30%, and stabilise debt.

Youth unemployment, which ANT estimates at over 60% in urban areas, would be reduced through a combination of skills development, SME growth, and industrial jobs.

A challenge to the status quo

The manifesto argues that despite investments in roads and electricity generation, Uganda has not achieved structural transformation.

Tariffs remain high, power is unreliable, and industries are weak. ANT contrasts this with its vision of a production-led economy built on fiscal discipline, inclusive industrialisation, and value addition.

The party argues that Uganda’s economic stagnation is not inevitable but a consequence of choices, and that new choices can open the door to prosperity.

The feasibility question

But skeptics question how ANT plans to cut borrowing while expanding investment in agriculture, industry, and social services.

ANT’s manifesto offers a sweeping reimagination of Uganda’s economy, rooted in agriculture, fuelled by industrialisation, disciplined in debt management, and committed to inclusive growth.

Whether it is achievable remains an open question. But by putting production, fiscal responsibility, and equity at the centre of its agenda, ANT has staked its claim as a serious contender in shaping Uganda’s economic future.