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Economic activity

Statistics House in Kampala, headquarters of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics
GDP Growth

Economy grows 6.6% despite quarterly slowdown

Uganda’s economy expanded in April–June, but weaker services slowed quarterly growth and household spending barely increased
Entrance to the personal banking section of a bank
Purchasing Managers’ Index

Private sector picks up pace in April despite fuel-driven cost pressures

Uganda's private sector expanded for a 15th month as the PMI rose to 55, though rising fuel costs and a declining BTI weighed on firms
An aerial view of a bright green Evergreen shipping container being transported on a red automated guided vehicle across a paved port terminal.
Purchasing Managers’ Index

Fuel costs temper steady private-sector expansion at quarter-end

Uganda’s PMI rose to 54.3 in March while BTI eased, as fuel costs and weak construction tempered momentum
The offices of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in Kampala

Uganda’s oil moment approaches — but the risks are multiplying

Uganda's first oil is due in H2 2026, but timing risks, fiscal pressures, and a Middle East conflict cloud the outlook
High-angle view of an expansive industrial warehouse showing systematic stock accumulation in yellow bins and tiered racking.

Business conditions strengthen in February

The Stanbic Bank Uganda PMI jumped to 54.2 in February as output, employment, and new orders all rose across monitored sectors
A polling station at an unknown location in Uganda

Private sector extends growth streak to a year

Uganda's PMI reading of 52.6 extended the private sector's growth streak to a year, despite some disruption from the election period
A flatbed lorry loaded with stacks of cement bags on a street in Jinja, Uganda.

Private sector growth gains momentum at year-end

Business conditions in Uganda’s private sector strengthened at the close of 2025, with growth edging higher in December according to the latest survey of purchasing managers
A high view of a large storage area with various racks and containers

Private sector growth accelerates in November

Business conditions in Uganda's private sector strengthened in November, with growth accelerating for the second time in three months, according to a closely watched survey
An outdoor discussion, with two female panellists seated in the chair, and other female holding a microphone and standing, as well as an audience

IMF upgrades sub‑Saharan Africa forecast as reforms blunt external shocks

The IMF has raised its growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa, crediting improved macroeconomic management in several large economies and resilience amid external pressures

More Economic activity

4 January 2024

Economic activity gauge jumps as demand grows

A measure of private sector activity rose to a six-month high in December as an increase in demand led to a rise in new orders and output

An overhead view of Kikuubo, Kampala's busiest market
7 December 2023

GDP grew 5.5% in third quarter, driven by output in the industrial sector

Industrial and agricultural sectors expanded at healthy pace compared to previous quarter, while services sector slowed down

Hima Cement's plant in Kasese, western Uganda
5 December 2023

Stanbic Uganda November PMI rises to four-month high

Closely watched measure of private sector health rose for thirteenth straight month on stronger customer demand

Downtown Kampala, where wholesale and retail trade are the dominant economic activities, close to the Old Taxi Park and St Balikuddembe Market
3 November 2023

Private sector activity slowed in October, PMI shows

Business activity in Uganda's private sector slowed in October as the services, wholesale and retail sectors reported declines, according to a closely watched survey

An overhead view of Kikuubo, Kampala's busiest market
23 October 2023

Economic growth climbs to four-year high

Uganda's economy grew by 5.2 per cent in the twelve months to June, according to unadjusted Ubos estimates, which is still below pre-coronavirus pandemic levels

Downtown Kampala, where wholesale and retail trade are the dominant economic activities, close to the Old Taxi Park and St Balikuddembe Market
4 October 2023

Private sector lending rises to six-month high in August

Credit to Uganda's private sector rose to a six-month high in August as the economy continued a slow but steady recovery path, the central bank said on Tuesday ahead of its policy rate meeting

Entrance to the personal banking section of a bank
4 October 2023

Private sector activity edged higher in September

A key gauge of activity in Uganda's private sector edged up in September, after slowing in August, as agriculture swung to an expansion to ensure that all the five sectors covered by the survey improved

18 September 2023

Economy surges in second quarter

GDP growth picked up strongly in the second quarter of the year due to increased activity in the mining and quarrying sub-sector and the services sector

An inland oil rig
6 September 2023

Loan growth weak in July

Loan growth at commercial banks was muted in July, underscoring the central bank's decision to ease monetary policy last month as it tries to boost economic growth

A retail shopping centre in downtown Kampala, Uganda
5 September 2023

Growth in business activity slowed in August, Stanbic PMI shows

Stanbic Bank Uganda's purchasing managers' index receded for the third straight month in August as rising financial pressures stifled demand

An industrial storage area