By Our Reporter
In fulfillment of the Constitutional mandate under Article 101(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni delivered the 2025 State of the Nation Address, highlighting significant economic progress and outlining ambitious plans for the country’s future.
The President reported that Uganda’s economy grew by an impressive 6.7% in the first quarter of 2025, up from 5.6% last year. The overall growth rate is projected at 6.3% for 2025, with expectations to rise to 7% in the 2025/26 financial year, boosted further by the anticipated start of oil and gas production next year.
A landmark agreement has been signed with Alpha MBM Investments LLC from the United Arab Emirates to commence construction of the long-awaited oil refinery in Hoima. This development is expected to be a game-changer for Uganda’s energy sector and broader economic landscape.
President Museveni also highlighted the remarkable progress in education and literacy, noting that literacy rates have surged from 43% in 1986 to 80% today. Back then, over 90% of Ugandans were engaged in subsistence farming, but this number has significantly declined as the economy diversifies.
Looking ahead, Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to more than double within the next five years, reaching USD 158 billion in exchange rate terms and USD 296 billion in purchasing power parity terms by 2030.
On security matters, the President commended the ongoing joint operations between the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern DRC, noting significant achievements.
In education, the government is pushing reforms aimed at equipping learners with practical skills demanded by the private sector to curb graduate unemployment. Next fiscal year, the government plans to support the construction of specialized centers of excellence for cancer and cardiovascular treatments, among others, to improve healthcare services.
President Museveni urged Ugandans to adopt healthy lifestyles by exercising regularly, maintaining personal hygiene, eating nutritious food, sleeping under treated mosquito nets, and avoiding harmful practices such as smoking and sexual promiscuity.
He also praised Ugandan scientists for contributing to the emerging knowledge economy, with achievements in automobile vaccines, electronics, and other innovative fields.
The industrial sector is expanding, with three major cement manufacturing plants operational—Tororo, Hima, and Simba Cement—as well as a high-quality tin smelting plant in Mbarara. New cement factories are also being established in Karamoja, promoting regional development.
Citing a Harvard Economic Lab study, the President noted that Uganda has added 20 new products to its export basket in the past decade, with the potential to produce 50 more complex goods including ICT equipment, serums, and vaccines.
The value of coffee exports has steadily increased from USD 845 million in the 2022/23 fiscal year to USD 1.1 billion in 2023/24, underscoring Uganda’s strong position in the global coffee market.
Consumer goods and services inflation has been kept low at an average of 3.4% over the past year, benefiting savers and investors alike.
For the 2025/26 financial year, the government plans to collect UGX 37.2 trillion in domestic revenue and has already invested UGX 8 trillion in strategic wealth creation initiatives, which have significantly boosted economic performance.
Highlighting social progress, the President cited the recent National Housing Survey report by @StatisticsUg, which shows that the proportion of Ugandans living below the national poverty line has dropped to 16% from 20% four years ago, surpassing the 2025 national target of 18.5%.
As Uganda marches toward 2030, these developments reflect a nation on a promising path toward economic transformation, social upliftment, and improved quality of life for its citizens.
Find the full address via this link: https://yowerikmuseveni.com/state-nation-address-2025