Kampala, March 23, 2024
The United Nations (UN) has heralded Uganda’s attainment of lower-middle-income status, citing remarkable advancements in healthcare, education, and income levels within the population. This declaration was made by Ms. Susan Ngongi Namondo, the UN resident coordinator in Uganda, during the unveiling of the 2023/2024 Human Development Report (HDR) at Makerere University in Kampala on Wednesday.
The HDR underscored Uganda’s significant strides in the Human Development Index (HDI), propelling it from a global ranking of 166 in 2022 to 159 in 2024, among 193 countries and territories evaluated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Noteworthy factors assessed encompass income levels, health, education, and intra-population disparities.
Ms. Nwanneakolam Vwede-Obahor, the UNDP resident representative, highlighted Uganda’s evolution from a low human development status, positioned at 166 out of 191 countries and territories in the 2021/2022 HDR, to a medium human development classification, now standing at 159 out of 193 countries and territories in the latest report.
Over the span of 1990 to 2022, Uganda experienced a commendable surge in its HDI value, escalating from 0.329 to 0.550, marking a 67.2 percent upsurge. Life expectancy at birth surged by 17.2 years, anticipated years of schooling escalated by 5.8 years, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita witnessed an approximate 153.1 percent elevation.
Ms. Namondo shared an exhilarating revelation, stating, “The UN committee for Development Policy has announced that Uganda has now fulfilled the criteria for graduation from the least developed country to the lower-middle-income country category for the first time.”
Nevertheless, she cautioned that sustaining these gains would necessitate concerted efforts, particularly to navigate potential budgetary disruptions accompanying the transition.
Uganda’s HDI of 0.550 surpasses the Sub-Saharan African average of 0.549 but still trails behind the global average of 0.739, as per the HDR report. The nation grapples with widening income inequalities and disparities in healthcare and education accessibility, as outlined in the report.
In response, Ms. Robinah Nabbanja, the prime minister, pledged increased investment in initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) to ensure inclusive development. She called for collaborative efforts among government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector to address the challenges outlined in the report.
“We must combat divisions and strengthen service delivery to address the common needs of our population and pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future,” remarked Ms. Nabbanja, emphasizing Uganda’s unwavering commitment to human development.
As Uganda ventures into a new phase of economic growth, bolstered by its upgraded status, concerted action and inclusive policies are imperative to sustain and amplify the progress achieved, aligning with the nation’s aspirations for a prosperous future.