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Uganda

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Overview

Uganda presented its Third Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report in 2024 at the 12th Session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The report reviewed the country’s progress in implementing the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which Uganda adopted in 2015 while holding the United Nations Presidency. Uganda aligned all 17 SDGs with its national development frameworks, including Vision 2040 and the Third National Development Plan (NDP III) (2020-2021)–(2024-2025), which achieved 95% alignment with the SDGs compared to 70% under NDP II. The 2024 VNR highlighted achievements in poverty reduction, healthcare, education, energy access, industrialisation, and digital connectivity, while also identifying challenges such as climate change, corruption, financing gaps, technological limitations, and institutional weaknesses.

Recommendations

  1. Strengthen SDG institutionalisation and improve inter-ministerial coordination and accountability mechanisms.
  2. Increase financing for SDG implementation through diversified funding sources, concessional financing, carbon trade, and diaspora bonds.
  3. Accelerate climate-smart investments, adaptation, and mitigation measures to address environmental and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
  4. Strengthen data systems, monitoring frameworks, and the National Statistical System to improve SDG reporting and evidence-based planning.
  5. Enhance localisation of SDGs through stronger engagement of local governments, communities, CSOs, youth, and private sector actors.
  6. Invest in transformative sectors to improve productivity, innovation, infrastructure, and service delivery.

Conclusion

Uganda’s 2024 VNR demonstrated continued commitment towards achieving the SDGs through strengthened political leadership, multi-stakeholder partnerships, institutional reforms, and localisation of the 2030 Agenda. The country recorded progress in several indicators, including an increase in broadband connectivity to 85% of parishes in 2024, growth in the tax-to-GDP ratio from 12.4% in 2015 to 14.5% in 2022, and an increase in SDG indicators with data points from 41 in 2020 to 127 in 2024. Despite these achievements, Uganda continued facing major challenges including climate change, limited financial resources, corruption, data gaps, and socio-economic inequalities. The Government committed to accelerating implementation through climate-smart investments, strengthened SDG coordination, enhanced localisation, improved financing mechanisms, institutional reforms, and stronger monitoring systems as part of preparations for NDP IV beginning in 2025/26.

SDGs Progress Tracker
  • SDGs Completion % 39
  • SDGs On-Track % 0
  • SDGs Achieved % 0
Voluntary National Reports
Country Focal Point

Mrs Christine Guwatudde Kintu
Permanent Secretary,
Office of the Prime Minister,
P.o. Box 341
Kampala
Uganda

Location

Office of the Prime Minister, Kampala, Uganda

Get Directions
Region
  • Uganda
  • Africa
No Poverty
SDG 1: No Poverty: Score: 3
Justification Uganda prioritised poverty reduction through Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan III (2020-2021)– (2024-2025). The Government implemented poverty reduction frameworks and accelerated the Parish Development Model (PDM), targeting the 39% of households in the subsistence economy to transition into the money economy by 2030.
Challenges Despite several poverty reduction interventions, growing disparities in income and wealth persisted across rural and urban areas. Unequal access to education, healthcare, finance, clean energy, water, and sanitation continued to affect vulnerable populations. Uganda also faced limited financial resources, corruption tendencies, climate change effects, and COVID-19 impacts.
Progress/

Solution

 The incidence of monetary poverty declined from 21.3% in 2016-2017 to 20.3% in 2019-2020. Uganda strengthened targeted programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme, Disability Fund, Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment, Universal Primary Education (UPE), and Universal Secondary Education (USE).
Unsolved Challenges Multidimensional poverty remained high at 42.1% in 2024. Vulnerable groups including persons with disabilities, refugees, rural and urban poor, women, youth, and people living in hard-to-reach areas were still at risk of being left behind.
Zero Hunger
SDG 2: Zero Hunger: Score: 2
Justification Uganda focused on improving food security and nutrition because agriculture remains central to livelihoods and economic transformation. The Government integrated nutrition and food security into the national development agenda and supported agricultural productivity improvements.
Challenges Uganda experienced a 7.9% increase in the number of food-insecure adults. Food insecurity was worsened by climate change, low agricultural productivity, population growth, and increasing pressure on natural resources.
Progress/

Solution

 The prevalence of stunting among children under five years declined from 45% in 2000 to 24% in 2022. The Government planned to increase budget allocations to the agriculture sector, continue implementation of the Parish Development Model, and improve agricultural production and productivity.
Unsolved Challenges The proportion of the adult population suffering from severe food insecurity remained at 24.9% in 2021. Uganda also faced projected fish supply deficits due to population growth of 3.0% annually and overfishing pressures.
Good Health
SDG 3: Good Health and Well Being: Score: 3
Justification Uganda invested heavily in preventive and curative healthcare services to improve national well-being and strengthen resilience against shocks such as COVID-19 and disease outbreaks.
Challenges The health sector faced challenges including disease outbreaks, inadequate specialised healthcare services, rising maternal mortality concerns, and limited healthcare infrastructure and equipment in some areas.
Progress/

Solution

 Uganda recorded improvements in maternal mortality ratio, neonatal mortality rate, infant mortality rate, fertility rate, and adolescent pregnancy rate. The estimated maternal mortality ratio reduced to 189 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 compared to 336 per 100,000 live births in 2016. The Government continued investing in health workforce capacity building, upgrading health infrastructure, and strengthening community health services.
Unsolved Challenges Healthcare access and specialised services remained uneven, especially in vulnerable and remote communities. Increasing population growth continued to exert pressure on healthcare systems and service delivery.
Quality Education
SDG 4: Quality Education: Score: 3
Justification Education remained a national priority because it supports social and economic transformation, improves well-being, and promotes sustainable development. The education sector received 10% of Uganda’s total budget in 2023-2024.
Challenges Many local governments still lacked awareness and capacity to effectively localise SDG implementation within education systems. Uganda also faced gaps in data, financing limitations, and disparities in educational access and learning quality.
Progress/

Solution

 The introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) increased enrolment for both boys and girls. Uganda also registered improvements in learning outcomes. P7 completion rates reached 67.2%, while P3 completion rates reached 37.8%. The Government strengthened teacher management systems, ICT skills development, and education financing.
Unsolved Challenges Despite progress, disparities in access to quality education and completion rates remained, especially among vulnerable groups and rural communities. Limited awareness, institutional weaknesses, and insufficient financing continued to affect effective SDG localisation in education.
Gender Equality
SDG 5: Gender Equality: Score: 3
Justification Uganda prioritised gender equality to improve women’s empowerment, reduce violence against women and girls, and increase women’s participation in leadership and socio-economic development. The Government integrated gender equality into legal and policy frameworks and implemented gender-responsive budgeting.
Challenges Gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, cultural acceptance of domestic violence, and unequal representation of women in leadership remained major challenges. The overall ratio of female Members of Parliament remained at 34%.
Progress/

Solution

 The proportion of women experiencing physical violence declined from 60% in 2006 to 44% in 2022, while the proportion for men reduced from 53% to 39% over the same period. Sexual violence against women aged 15–45 declined from 22% in 2016 to 10.7% in 2022. Child marriage also reduced by 22.2% in 2022 since 2006. Uganda further improved access to justice for GBV survivors and increased appointments of women to senior leadership and Cabinet positions.
Unsolved Challenges Despite improvements, GBV and harmful cultural practices continued in many communities. Women’s representation in Parliament remained relatively low at 34%, and some communities still experienced gender inequality and limited economic opportunities for women.
Water & Sanitation
SDG 6: Clean Water Sanitation: Score: 3
Justification Uganda prioritised access to safe water and sanitation because rapid population growth, urbanisation, and increasing agricultural, industrial, and energy demands continued to increase pressure on water resources.
Challenges Water demand continued to rise due to population growth and urbanisation. Urban access to safe water remained below the national annual target of 78.4%, while rural communities remained highly dependent on boreholes, protected springs, and gravity flow schemes.
Progress/

Solution

 Access to safe water in urban areas increased marginally to 72.8% in 2023, while rural access remained at 68%. The Government continued implementing programmes to improve water supply infrastructure and sanitation services in both rural and urban areas.
Unsolved Challenges Urban safe water access still remained below the 2023 national target of 78.4%. Rural communities continued facing limited improvements in safe water access, with no change recorded at 68%.
Clean Energy
SDG 7: Affordable Clean Energy: Score: 3
Justification Uganda focused on expanding affordable, reliable, and clean energy access to improve livelihoods, industrial productivity, and sustainable development. The Government prioritised renewable and clean energy generation, particularly solar and nuclear energy.
Challenges Electricity access remained uneven between urban and rural populations. Uganda also experienced mixed performance in renewable energy use since 2017, alongside challenges related to energy efficiency and infrastructure development.
Progress/

Solution

 Uganda’s electricity access rate reached 58% in 2022, including 20% on-grid and 38% off-grid access, mainly through solar energy. Electricity access increased from 14% in 2016 to 52% in 2018. Renewable energy usage stood at 87.8%. The Government continued developing energy evacuation infrastructure and aimed to reduce the unit cost of energy to US$ 5 cents per KWH.
Unsolved Challenges Urban populations continued to have significantly higher electricity access than rural populations, at 74% compared to 50%. Renewable energy performance also showed fluctuations since 2017.
Decent Work
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Score: 3
Justification Uganda prioritised sustained economic growth, productive employment, industrialisation, and innovation to improve productivity and transform the economy. The Government implemented the Industrial Development Strategy (2018–2028) and supported entrepreneurship and SME development.
Challenges Uganda continued to face challenges including unemployment, low productivity in some transformative sectors, limited financing, slow technological advancement, institutional bureaucracies, and the effects of climate change and COVID-19.
Progress/

Solution

 Uganda achieved industrial production growth of 5.5% per annum between 2015 and 2022 and a 15% increase in labour productivity during the same period. Patent applications increased by 25% between 2015 and 2022. The Government invested in infrastructure, ICT, manufacturing, energy, and public-private partnerships. Uganda also met the criteria for graduation from the United Nations Least Developed Countries (LDCs) category, with expected graduation in the early 2030s.
Unsolved Challenges Income and wealth inequalities persisted despite economic growth. Unequal access to education, healthcare, finance, clean energy, and sanitation continued to affect inclusive growth and decent work opportunities.
Industry & Infrastructure
SDG 9: Industry Innovation and Infrastructure: Score: 3
Justification Uganda prioritised industrialisation, innovation, and infrastructure development to enhance economic productivity, value addition, export-led growth, and technological advancement. The Government implemented the Industrial Development Strategy (2018–2028) and invested in transport, ICT, and energy infrastructure.
Challenges The country faced slow technological advancement, low productivity in some transformative sectors, institutional bureaucracies, and limited financing for infrastructure and innovation.
Progress/

Solution

 Uganda registered industrial production growth of 5.5% per annum between 2015 and 2022. Labour productivity increased by 15%, while patent applications increased by 25% during the same period. The Government established the Uganda Development Bank to finance strategic sectors including agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, and promoted public-private partnerships to support industrial growth and innovation.
Unsolved Challenges Despite progress, Uganda continued facing financing gaps, technological limitations, and institutional inefficiencies that slowed industrial transformation and infrastructure expansion.
Inequality
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Score: 3
Justification Uganda focused on reducing inequalities to ensure inclusive socio-economic development and improve equitable access to services such as education, healthcare, finance, water, sanitation, and energy.
Challenges Growing disparities in income and wealth persisted despite poverty reduction interventions. Unequal access to basic services continued between rural and urban populations, vulnerable groups, and marginalised communities.
Progress/

Solution

 Uganda implemented targeted programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme, Disability Fund, Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment, and affirmative action initiatives for women and persons with disabilities. Rural inequality significantly declined between 2016 and 2019.
Unsolved Challenges Urban inequality continued increasing even though rural inequality declined. Vulnerable groups including refugees, persons with disabilities, women, youth, and slum dwellers remained at risk of being left behind in development processes.
Sustainable Cities
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Score: 3
Justification Uganda prioritised sustainable urban development to improve infrastructure, decentralised development, housing conditions, and urban service delivery amid rapid urbanisation.
Challenges Rapid urbanisation continued increasing pressure on infrastructure, housing, and service delivery. Uganda also faced challenges related to urban sprawling and slum settlements.
Progress/

Solution

 The Government elevated 15 municipalities to city status alongside Kampala to promote decentralised development and improve urban infrastructure. The proportion of the population living in slums declined from 80.9% in 2000 to 54% in 2020. Uganda also promoted integrated physical planning and high-density urban settlement strategies.
Unsolved Challenges Uganda had not yet achieved the National Development Plan III urbanisation target of 44% by 2023. Urban sprawling and increasing pressure on infrastructure and services remained significant concerns.
Responsible Consumption
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Score: 2
Justification Uganda promoted responsible consumption and production to support sustainable economic growth, environmental protection, climate resilience, and efficient resource utilisation.
Challenges The country faced challenges related to waste management, unsustainable farming practices, climate change impacts, and inadequate food storage facilities.
Progress/

Solution

 The Government prioritised catalytic investments to increase private sector participation in the green economy under the Uganda Green Growth Development Strategy. Uganda also focused on raising awareness, improving waste management, adapting farming practices to climate change, and supporting sustainable consumption and production programmes.
Unsolved Challenges Uganda still required stronger implementation of sustainable production systems, improved waste management infrastructure, and greater investment in climate-resilient agricultural and storage practices.
Climate Action
SDG 13: Climate Action: Score: 2
Justification Uganda prioritised climate action because climate change continued to threaten agriculture, food security, water resources, biodiversity, and socio-economic development. The Government integrated climate change adaptation and mitigation measures into national planning frameworks and development strategies.
Challenges Uganda experienced increasing climate-related shocks including floods, droughts, landslides, prolonged dry spells, and environmental degradation. Climate change also negatively affected agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
Progress/

Solution

 The Government implemented climate-smart investments and promoted inclusive economic and social development through climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. Uganda also prioritised the Uganda Green Growth Development Strategy and integrated climate resilience into the Parish Development Model and other national programmes.
Unsolved Challenges Climate change effects remained a major obstacle to SDG implementation. Uganda continued facing limited financial resources, low technological advancement, and insufficient climate adaptation capacity to effectively address environmental and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
Life Below Water
SDG 14: Life Below Water: Score: 2
Justification Uganda prioritised sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems because fisheries contribute significantly to food security, livelihoods, employment, and economic development.
Challenges Uganda faced increasing pressure on fish resources due to overfishing, environmental degradation, and rapid population growth of 3.0% annually. The country also projected future fish supply deficits if sustainable management measures were not strengthened.
Progress/

Solution

 The Government strengthened measures to improve sustainable fisheries management and aquatic ecosystem conservation. Uganda also promoted environmental protection and sustainable utilisation of natural resources through policy reforms and community engagement initiatives.
Unsolved Challenges Fish supply deficits and pressure on aquatic ecosystems remained unresolved because of population growth, overfishing, and environmental stress on water bodies.
Life on Land
SDG 15: Life on Land: Score: 2
Justification Uganda focused on protecting terrestrial ecosystems, forests, wetlands, and biodiversity because environmental degradation threatened livelihoods, agriculture, water resources, and sustainable development.
Challenges The country continued experiencing deforestation, wetland degradation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and environmental pressures caused by population growth and unsustainable human activities.
Progress/

Solution

 Uganda implemented environmental protection and restoration programmes, promoted tree planting initiatives, and strengthened climate-smart and sustainable land management practices. Parliamentary SDG localisation initiatives also supported tree planting activities at community level.
Unsolved Challenges Environmental degradation, deforestation, and biodiversity loss continued despite ongoing interventions. Climate change and increasing population pressures remained major threats to sustainable land and ecosystem management.
Peace & Justice
SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Institutions: Score: 3
Justification Uganda prioritised peace, justice, accountability, and strong institutions to support sustainable development, effective governance, and protection of citizens’ rights. The Government strengthened institutional coordination frameworks and governance systems for SDG implementation beginning in 2016 under the leadership of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
Challenges Corruption remained a major challenge, with nearly one in five Ugandans (18%) identifying corruption as one of the most significant national issues. Uganda’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) stood at 26 compared to the global average of 44.5. The country also faced bureaucratic red tape, weak institutional coordination, limited financial resources, data gaps, and corruption tendencies among some public officials.
Progress/

Solution

 The Government strengthened SDG coordination through the establishment of a fully-fledged SDG Secretariat in 2019 and operationalised five multi-stakeholder Technical Working Groups. Uganda also enhanced domestic resource mobilisation through the Domestic Revenue Mobilisation Strategy (2019–2024), increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio from 12.4% in 2015 to 14.5% in 2022 and achieving annual tax revenue growth of 12% between 2015 and 2022. Efforts to combat corruption included monitoring government services, improving accountability, and strengthening access to justice and legal services.
Unsolved Challenges Despite institutional reforms, corruption, governance weaknesses, limited financing, and institutional inefficiencies continued to hinder effective SDG implementation and service delivery.
Partnerships
SDG 17: Partnership and means of Implementation: Score: 3
Justification Uganda recognised partnerships as essential for achieving the SDGs through financing, technology transfer, capacity building, data strengthening, and collaborative implementation. The Government adopted a multi-stakeholder coordination framework involving state and non-state actors, including development partners, CSOs, academia, the private sector, and UN agencies.
Challenges Uganda faced limited financial resources, weak SDG institutionalisation, slow technological advancement, data gaps, and limited awareness and localisation of SDGs at local government levels. Some stakeholders also demonstrated low participation in SDG processes.
Progress/

Solution

 Uganda revitalised its national partnership architecture in collaboration with development partners and strengthened international cooperation. The Government established annual SDG Conferences beginning in 2022 and supported regional SDG forums to enhance stakeholder participation. Broadband connectivity reached 85% of parishes, surpassing the National Development Plan III target of 74%. The number of SDG indicators with data points also increased from 41 in 2020 to 127 in 2024 under the leadership of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).
Unsolved Challenges Uganda continued facing financing constraints, weak localisation of SDGs, limited technological advancement, and insufficient institutional capacity to fully accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
SDGs World Progress: Moderately Off-Track
  • SDG3
  • SDG5
  • SDG6
  • SDG1
  • SDG4
  • SDG7
  • SDG8
  • SDG9
  • SDG10
  • SDG11
  • SDG16
  • SDG17
SDGs World Progress: Off-Track
  • SDG2
  • SDG12
  • SDG13
  • SDG14
  • SDG15
Country Challenges
  1. Limited financial resources continued to constrain implementation of national development priorities and SDGs.
  2. Uganda faced slow technological advancement, institutional bureaucratic red tape, and weak SDG institutionalisation.
  3. Data gaps and low awareness of SDG localisation among local governments affected effective implementation and monitoring.
  4. Climate change, environmental degradation, floods, droughts, and landslides negatively affected livelihoods, agriculture, and infrastructure.
  5. Corruption remained a significant issue, with 18% of Ugandans identifying it as a major challenge. Uganda’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) stood at 26 compared to the global average of 44.5.
  6. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic slowed socio-economic progress and affected service delivery and productivity.
Country Lessons Learned
  1. Strong political commitment and leadership, beginning with the President and Prime Minister, significantly accelerated SDG implementation.
  2. Integrating SDGs into national development plans improved coherence, implementation, and monitoring across sectors. Uganda aligned NDP III up to 95% with the SDGs.
  3. Multi-stakeholder coordination involving government, CSOs, academia, private sector, and development partners strengthened SDG implementation and localisation.
  4. Annual SDG Conferences and regional forums improved accountability, localisation, stakeholder engagement, and policy dialogue.
  5. Expanding digital participation through e-platforms improved public engagement, youth participation, and awareness of SDGs.
  6. Localisation of SDGs through translation into 13 local languages strengthened public understanding and ownership of the 2030 Agenda.
Country Contribution
  1. Uganda increased the tax-to-GDP ratio from 12.4% in 2015 to 14.5% in 2022 under the Domestic Revenue Mobilisation Strategy (2019–2024).
  2. Tax revenue grew at an annual rate of 12% between 2015 and 2022.
  3. Broadband connectivity reached 85% of parishes in 2024, exceeding the National Development Plan III target of 74%.
  4. Monetary poverty reduced from 21.3% in 2016/17 to 20.3% in 2019/20.
  5. Stunting among children under five years declined from 45% in 2000 to 24% in 2022.
  6. Maternal mortality ratio reduced from 336 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2016 to 189 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022.
  7. Electricity access increased from 14% in 2016 to 52% in 2018, reaching 58% in 2022.
  8. Industrial production grew by 5.5% per annum between 2015 and 2022, while labour productivity increased by 15%.
  9. Patent applications increased by 25% between 2015 and 2022.
  10. The proportion of people living in slums declined from 80.9% in 2000 to 54% in 2020.
  11. SDG indicators with data points increased from 41 in 2020 to 127 in 2024.

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