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…
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When the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) unveiled its 2026–2031 manifesto, attention quickly turned to its economic agenda. The party, one of Uganda’s largest opposition forces, is promising what it calls a “production-led” economic model, a shift from what it labels government’s “consumption-driven and debt-fueled” approach. In pages devoted to the economy, illustrated with charts and diagrammes, FDC sets out a plan for fiscal discipline, industrialisation, job creation, and equitable growth. Its core argument is that Uganda must reduce borrowing and imports, while boosting production, processing, and exports to achieve sustainable prosperity. The debt question Central to the manifesto is…
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As Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections, the debate is increasingly focused on the economy. At the heart of the opposition National Unity Platform’s (NUP) 2026–2031 manifesto is a bold pledge: to rescue the economy from stagnation, corruption, and elite capture. It is the promise that seeks to redirect the economy toward productivity, self-reliance, and prosperity for ordinary citizens. NUP, founded in 2004 as the National Unity, Reconciliation and Development Party (NURP) and rebranded in 2019, is now Uganda’s largest opposition force. It is led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) as President, supported by Deputy Presidents John Baptist…
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As Uganda heads into another electoral cycle, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has unveiled its 2026–2031 Manifesto, branding it a programme for “consolidating socio-economic transformation.” The document doubles as both a balance sheet of what the party says it has delivered since 1986 and a forward-looking plan for the next five years. At its heart, the manifesto sets out a vision of industrial growth, agricultural modernisation, financial inclusion, and digital innovation. It also places heavy emphasis on stability, infrastructure, and regional trade. It frames these as foundations on which Uganda’s next phase of transformation will stand. The economic broad vision…
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It is one of the most common questions asked of chief executives and board chairs: “What keeps you awake at night?” It’s meant to reveal the depth of their leadership, the gravity of their concerns, and the clarity of their strategic vision. The answers vary — from market disruption and regulatory pressure to talent retention, cyber threats, or reputation risk. And yet, for all its popularity, we rarely stop to interrogate the question itself. Should leadership really be a sleepless job? And if a leader is always awake at night, does that point to strength — or to something more…
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For decades, Uganda’s trade story has been defined by its deepening integration into regional markets, rising dependence on Asia, and enduring ties with Europe. But when you look past the big numbers and focus on balance of trade, who buys more from Uganda than Uganda buys from them, the picture of Uganda’s “real” trading partners changes dramatically. Uganda’s external trade has expanded significantly in the past five years. Exports more than doubled from $5.3 billion in the 2020/21 financial year to $10.6 billion in the 2024/25 financial year. Imports also rose, from $8.3 billion to $13.2 billion over the same…
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Uganda’s banking sector has never been stronger on paper. And the Bank of Uganda’s latest Financial Soundness Indicators show why. Banks, the indicators show, are heavily capitalized, flush with liquidity, profitable, and increasingly resilient. Regulatory capital sits above 25% of risk-weighted assets, double the global standards. Non-performing loans have fallen from 5.2% to 4.1% in a year, while liquidity coverage ratios have surged to an extraordinary 580%. Returns on equity remain a solid 16 to 17%. In short, Uganda’s banks are safe, liquid, and among the most profitable in the region. Yet behind this impressive stability lies a nagging paradox:…
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The private sector entered August on a cautious but hopeful note. Two major business surveys show that while the economy remains on a growth path, financial strain and weak present conditions are dampening sentiment. The Bank of Uganda’s Business Tendency Indicators (BTI) pointed to declining confidence in current conditions. But firms expressed soaring optimism for the coming months. Meanwhile, the Stanbic Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index reported steady expansion. It highlights resilience in output, hiring, and new orders despite inflationary pressures. Confidence slips in the present, but expectations rise Bank of Uganda’s BTI shows that overall business confidence stood at 57.2…
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On September 4, 2025, Justice Susan Odongo of the Commercial Court Division of the High Court in Kampala ruled against an application by the Baitwa brothers and their company to set aside a garnishee order. The order froze accounts of Three Ways Shipping Services (Group) in Stanbic and Standard Chartered, clearing the path for recovery of a $126,000 debt owed to Kenyan firm Transpares. The Baitwa brothers, Geoffrey Baitwa Bihamaiso and Oscar Rolands Baitwa Businge, had argued that they and their Ugandan group company were distinct from the Kenyan subsidiary that incurred the debt. But Justice Odongo dismissed this defence,…
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Following a brazen system breach that manipulated the agency banking platform to leading it to make double transactions to bank agents requesting float, CEO East Africa Magazine understands the system…
