On the surface, Uganda’s real estate sector appears to be thriving. Cranes dot Kampala’s skyline, mortgage uptake is rising, and Government revenue from corporate and rental income taxes continues to grow. But beneath this apparent progress lies a quieter strain—one that tax experts warn could slow the sector’s momentum if left unaddressed. Patricia Kiggundu, a Tax Manager at PwC Uganda, likens the situation to the old parable of the goose that laid golden eggs. Real estate, she argues, is steadily contributing to the economy, but excessive or poorly structured taxation risks killing off its long-term potential. Recent figures show why…
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By CEO East Africa Magazine Team Uganda’s ambition is bold: to grow its economy tenfold, moving millions out of poverty and cementing its place among Africa’s rising stars. The 2025/26 national budget, with a resource envelope of UGX 72.4 trillion, sets the tone — prioritising human capital, infrastructure, industrialisation, and digital transformation. But behind the optimism lies a fiscal squeeze. Public debt is climbing past USD 31.5 billion (51.26% of GDP), leaving little room for fresh borrowing. That means financing Uganda’s 10x dream depends squarely on domestic revenue mobilisation. Rather than introducing new taxes, the government is tightening administration —…
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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 July 25, the Uganda Gazette carried General Notice No. 2218 of 2025, signaling a shift in the approach to tax compliance and digitization. The notice indicated that Uganda Revenue…
In a fiscal climate where many economies are gasping under debt and tax collection fatigue, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has pulled off a remarkable feat. It has beaten its revenue target for the 2024/25 financial year by Shs174.11 billion, collecting Shs31.54 trillion—a 100.54% performance. The numbers tell a story of discipline, economic recovery, and a pivot towards digital administration. They also tell a story of how domestic resilience and global trade are the twin engines of Uganda’s fiscal base. But as URA basks in the moment, the real challenge is scaling the mountain of UGX36.74 trillion in the 2025/26 financial…
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Imagine a young software developer in Kampala. He’s just finished building a smart-contract application that could help farmers track produce payments without relying on brokers. He’s hopeful, energized, but frustrated. Because while his app runs on cryptocurrency protocols, Uganda doesn’t recognize any of that as legal tender. His innovation, though technically sound and globally viable, floats in a legal grey zone. That’s not just his dilemma—it’s Uganda’s. Back in October 2019, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija declared before the country that government does not recognize any cryptocurrency as legal tender. It was a firm stance, probably grounded in caution, but one…
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In Uganda’s long journey toward industrial self-reliance, Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) stands as a symbol of ambition: a state-owned automaker daring to challenge a global industry from the heart of…
When the authority responsible for procurement and disposal of public assets falters in its duties, the impact doesn’t just stay within its walls – it ripples dangerously through the economy, governance structures, and public trust. Procurement is the engine room of public service delivery, powering everything from roads and hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure. The crack in compliance So when oversight breaks down, mismanagement, corruption, inflated costs, and outright theft aren’t far behind. Without rigorous inspection and monitoring, procurement processes become a fertile ground for collusion between suppliers and government officials. Why? Because contracts start getting awarded not on merit…
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