Uganda flag

Uganda

Republic of Uganda
English Currency UGX Common law with customary EAC • COMESA • AfCFTA

East African economy with strong agriculture and services, a young and growing market, and regional links through the EAC. Coffee and gold drive exports while oil development at Lake Albert adds new prospects. Reforms focus on trade facilitation, digital tax systems, and investment licensing through a one stop center.

Overview

Growth is supported by agriculture, construction, and services. Uganda is integrated with neighbors through the EAC customs union and is advancing trade systems and digital tax tools. Registration and licensing are streamlined under the Uganda Investment Authority one stop center with company registration at URSB and tax administration by URA.

Snapshot

Population
~50.0 M 2024
UN Data and World Bank
GDP current USD
$53.7 B 2024
World Bank WDI
GDP per Capita
$1,073 2024
World Bank WDI
Inflation y over y
3.8% Jul 2025
UBOS CPI release
Policy Rate
9.75% Aug 2025
Bank of Uganda MPC
Internet Use
~15% 2023
World Bank WDI
Electrification
~51.5% 2023
World Bank WDI
Market Note
USE equity and government bonds
Uganda Securities Exchange

Focus Sectors

Coffee and Cocoa Oil and Gas Lake Albert Gold and Minerals Agribusiness and Food Logistics and Corridors Construction and Materials Tourism and Hospitality ICT and Mobile Money Fisheries and Aquaculture Power Generation and Grid

Trade

Top Export Partners 2023

  • South Sudan16.9%
  • Kenya16.9%
  • DR Congo11.7%
  • Italy7.0%
  • Tanzania4.3%
WITS UN Comtrade 2023

Top Export Goods

Coffee green Cane sugar Petroleum products Cement Cocoa beans
WITS and OEC 2023

Top Import Partners 2023

  • China19.8%
  • United Arab Emirates14.8%
  • India11.9%
  • Kenya7.7%
  • Japan4.0%
WITS UN Comtrade 2023

Top Import Goods 2023

  • Refined petroleum$2.0 B
  • Palm oil$0.35 B
  • Medicaments$0.30 B
  • Wheat$0.25 B
  • Flat rolled steel$0.24 B
OEC 2023

Finance and Capital Markets

Currency and Policy

  • CurrencyUganda Shilling UGX
  • Monetary policy rate9.75%
  • FX regimeFlexible market rate managed by BoU
Bank of Uganda and IMF notes

Markets

  • ExchangeUganda Securities Exchange
  • DebtGovernment bonds active with primary dealers
  • HydropowerKaruma commissioning lifted capacity
USE and Reuters

Regulations and Taxes

Start a Business

  1. Name search and reservation at URSB
  2. Incorporate and obtain documents at URSB
  3. Obtain Tax Identification Number at URA
  4. Investment license at UIA One Stop Center if required
  5. Register for NSSF as employer at NSSF
  6. Trade license at city or district authority
  7. E invoicing under URA EFRIS for VAT taxpayers
URSB and UIA and URA and NSSF

Key Taxes

  • Corporate Income Tax30%
  • VAT standard18%
  • Withholding tax on dividends15% typical
  • Withholding tax on interest15% typical
PwC and KPMG Uganda tax summaries

Talent

Median Age
~16.7 yrs
UN Population
Adult Literacy
~81% 2022
World Bank UIS
Tertiary Enrolment
data via WB EdStats
World Bank EdStats
Languages
English official, Kiswahili used
Constitution notes

Policy

  • EAC customs unionCommon external tariff and one stop borders
  • Investment licensingUIA One Stop Center process
  • Digital taxEFRIS e receipting and e invoicing
EAC and UIA and URA

Risks

  • Climate and commodityWeather and fuel costs affect prices
  • LogisticsTransit dependence via Mombasa and Dar es Salaam
  • FX and liquidityFunding costs and exchange swings matter for importers
IMF and trade notes

Resources

URSB company registry UIA One Stop Center eBiz URA taxes and EFRIS NSSF employer registration WITS trade snapshot OEC country profile Uganda Securities Exchange

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Data Notes
Population from UN Data and World Bank country page for 2024. GDP and GDP per capita current USD for 2024 from World Bank WDI. Inflation for July 2025 from Uganda Bureau of Statistics monthly CPI note. Policy rate from Bank of Uganda MPC updates in August 2025. Internet users and electrification most recent values from World Bank indicators 2023. Trade partners and goods from WITS 2023 and OEC 2023. Business steps from URSB and UIA one stop guidance, URA EFRIS, and NSSF employer rules. Hydropower commissioning reported by Reuters 2024.