Akena referred to historical statements by President Museveni acknowledging the destruction of food supplies and the destitution of about 2.7 million people during that period. He argued that the loss of cattle deprived communities of daily nutrition, household income, school fees, draft power, and soil fertility, leaving effects that continue to be felt today.
Kampala’s waste management system has come under increasing strain in recent years, including during Uganda’s first National Cleaning Day, when the volume of collected waste overwhelmed collection teams and temporarily clogged the Buyala disposal facility.
As Uganda searches for sustainable pathways toward industrial growth and youth employment, investments in electric mobility and manufacturing are increasingly becoming more than business ventures — they are emerging as tests of the country’s readiness for a modern, innovation-driven economy. Whether Gagan Gupta’s model succeeds may ultimately depend not only on investment capital, but on Uganda’s ability to build the infrastructure, accountability, and policy stability needed to turn economic ambition into measurable public impact
As Ugandans adopt social-economic transformation, there is a need to be reminded of the critical role of infrastructure in economic growth, which President Museveni committed to investing in: industrial parks, roads and transportation networks, and energy supply systems.
The increase of Uganda’s per capita income from $898 to 1146 in 2024 and the increase of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $16 to $20 in 2023—all these, including many others—resulted in Uganda being recognized by the IMF as one of the fastest-growing economies.