Uganda realizes 31.2% increment in income per capita

Uganda’s evaluation report on the implementation of the first decade of Africa Agenda 2063 reveals that Uganda attained a 31.2% increment in income per capita from $801 in the financial year 2013/14 to $936 in the financial year 2020/21 and to $1, 051 in FY2021/22 above the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan (FTYIP) target of increment by at least 30 percent.

Agenda 2063, adopted in January 2015, is Africa’s 50-year development blueprint focusing on inclusive growth and sustainable development. The agenda is implemented through five 10-year implementation plans. The First Ten-Year Implementation Plan (FTYIP), for which Uganda has been evaluated, comes to an end in 2023.

The Uganda state minister for finance and planning, Amos Lugoloobi, speaking at a meeting in Kampala on Wednesday, revealed that Uganda, like other countries, is expected to integrate the seven aspirations of the African people in its development plans. He said the third National Development Plan (NDPIII) was developed in full cognizance of the Agenda 2063 goals and aspirations, indicators and targets.

“Therefore, under the leadership of the National Planning Authority (NPA), we have undertaken an evaluation of progress made thus far in regard to the extent of integration and implementation of the Agenda 2063 within Uganda’s development planning frameworks as well as considerations for the successor plan,” Lugolobi explained.

Under Aspiration one, themed a Prosperous Africa Based on Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development, the minister says NDPIII is 95 percent aligned to the Agenda. While Uganda saw good scores in income per capita, the country was unable to realize a reduction in unemployment.

“Instead, Uganda’s unemployment rate increased from 9 percent in FY2012/13 to 13 percent in FY2019/20. This is largely because most productive and rapidly expanding economic sectors are more capital intensive,” the minister explained.

However, the minister said the government is doing necessary interventions to curb the situation, despite facing high population growth. He said the African Union is working hand in hand with member states to solve such issues in Africa by adjusting the education system.

Uganda earned mixed scores in the other six aspirations.

Agenda 2063 is a master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is a concrete and implementable framework with a clear vision, seven aspirations, 20 goals, 39 priority areas, targets and indicators.