Uganda’s economy grew 7.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, driven by increased activity in food crop production, trade and repairs, and construction, according to seasonally adjusted estimates from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
The pace of growth slowed slightly from 7.7 per cent in the previous quarter, largely due to a dip in manufacturing activity and slower expansion in food crop production. Still, at 6.8 per cent a year ago, the economy has demonstrated resilience, maintaining steady momentum.
Notably, this was the second-fastest annual growth rate in nearly two years, reinforcing a strong trend of above 7 per cent year-on-year growth over the past four quarters.
The economy’s expansion from the previous quarter was however the fastest in three quarters, growing at 1.9 per cent compared to 1.3 per cent in the last three months of 2024.
Industry recorded the fastest sectoral growth, expanding 8.3 per cent year-on-year, driven largely by increased construction and manufacturing activity. However, mining and quarrying outpaced both sub-sectors, growing at an even higher rate.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing rose by 7.7 per cent, propelled primarily by food crop activities. Services, meanwhile, expanded by 6.3 per cent, making it the largest contributor to overall economic growth during the quarter. While trade and repairs accounted for much of this expansion, other sub-sectors — such as professional, scientific, and technical services, along with arts, entertainment, and recreation — also saw significant growth.
