Uganda

As a landlocked country in East Africa, Uganda’s growth trajectory is vulnerable to multiple risks. 

Uganda hosts Africa’s largest number of refugees. There are over 1.8 million refugees and asylum seekers from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and other countries. 

Despite Uganda’s progressive refugee policy providing land and freedom of movement, refugees continue to face significant livelihood, food security and economic constraints. 

A volatile geopolitical environment could weigh on investment and exports, while the increasing frequency of droughts and floods heightens the vulnerability of Uganda’s smallholder farmers. 

Uganda is ranked 157 out of 193 countries on the Human Development Index, according to the Human Development Report 2023. Despite its agricultural potential and significant exports, Uganda’s food insecurity levels remain classified as ”serious” by the 2025 Global Hunger Index. This poses further challenges to the country’s ability to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 on Zero Hunger.

According to the 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey, around one in four children in Uganda are stunted (too short for their age) – a sign of chronic malnutrition. Poor-quality diets are creating health crises, undermining human capital development and jeopardising economic prosperity. 

While the country has made some gains in reducing malnutrition, the situation remains concerning – particularly in refugee reception centres and in the semi-arid region of Karamoja.