Uganda at 64: How the country has changed since independence in 1962

[Da Dona]

Uganda has undergone significant changes in its population, economy, infrastructure, education and healthcare over the 64 years since gaining independence from Britain on October 9, 1962. However, despite the progress recorded in several sectors, the country continues to face challenges, particularly in political stability, economic transformation and access to essential services.

According to a report published by Daily Monitor on October 9, 2026, Uganda's population has grown from approximately 8.1 million people at independence to 52.7 million, while its economy has expanded from a nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $449 million to about $73.4 billion.

Economic growth and exports
•Uganda's economy has expanded considerably since independence, although its growth has been interrupted by periods of political instability.

According to the report, the country's GDP rose to $1.5 billion in 1972 before declining to $1.2 billion by 1980. Following the change of government in 1986, the economy experienced renewed growth, with GDP increasing from $3.9 billion that year to $45.5 billion in 2022.

By June 2026, GDP per capita had risen from approximately $62 in 1962 to $1,476.

Uganda's export sector has also diversified. At independence, coffee and cotton accounted for approximately 76 per cent of the country's exports. By 2025, the total value of exports had increased from about $113.6 million in 1962 to $13.29 billion.

Gold has emerged as the leading export earner, followed by coffee, cocoa beans, raw sugar and refined petroleum. More than 60 per cent of Uganda's exports now go to other African countries.

However, the Uganda Development Bank has highlighted the need to move more workers from low-productivity agricultural activities into manufacturing and agro-processing to support sustainable economic growth. More than 68 per cent of the country's labour force remains concentrated in agriculture.

Road infrastructure and electricity

•Uganda's road network has expanded significantly since independence. In 1962, the country had approximately 884 kilometres of paved roads. That figure has increased to about 7,000 kilometres, within a national and local road network estimated at 159,366 kilometres.

•Electricity generation has also recorded major improvements. Uganda had an installed electricity generation capacity of approximately 150 megawatts in 1962, when access to electricity was below two per cent.

According to the Electricity Regulatory Authority, installed generation capacity had risen to 2,098.6 megawatts by the end of 2025, while national electricity access stood at 62.05 per cent.

Hydropower accounts for the largest share of installed capacity, followed by co-generation, solar and thermal electricity.

Telecommunications and digital services
•Uganda's telecommunications sector has transformed from a limited, state-controlled analogue system in 1962 into a digital industry supporting mobile communication, internet access and financial services.

At independence, fewer than 0.1 per cent of the population had access to telephone or other telecommunications services. Connections were largely concentrated in government offices and major urban centres, with rural communities having limited access.

Today, mobile network operators have invested in fibre-optic infrastructure, while internet services are available through mobile broadband and satellite technologies.

Mobile money has also become a major part of everyday life, with more than 36 million active accounts reported in the sector. Digital television, nationwide FM radio and expanding mobile internet services have further changed how Ugandans communicate and access information.

Education: From one university to 55

Uganda's education sector has expanded substantially since 1962, when the country had approximately 321 secondary schools and only one university, Makerere University.

Adult literacy stood at about 40 per cent at independence, while access to formal education was largely concentrated in central Uganda and institutions operated by religious organisations.

By 2026, the country had approximately 79,819 schools and educational institutions, including 7,503 secondary schools and 55 public and private universities. The report also identifies 1,494 post-primary and tertiary institutions.

The Ministry of Education and Sports estimates that primary schools serve 11.4 million learners, with approximately 9.1 million, or 79 per cent, enrolled in public schools.

At secondary level, about 1.3 million of the 2.1 million learners attend public institutions.

Despite the expansion, affordability and access remain important considerations, particularly because many educational institutions are privately owned.

Healthcare and life expectancy

Uganda's healthcare system has also grown from a network of approximately 27 core hospitals at independence to 7,141 health facilities in 2026, according to figures cited in the report.

The current network includes government facilities, private not-for-profit institutions and private for-profit providers. It also includes nine national referral hospitals, 16 regional referral hospitals, 219 general hospitals and 307 Health Centre IVs.

Health outcomes have improved over the decades, particularly in infant and child survival.

In 1962, Uganda's infant mortality rate stood at approximately 120.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, while under-five mortality was estimated at 215.6 deaths per 1,000 live births.

By 2026, infant mortality had fallen to 35.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, while under-five mortality stood at 26.9 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Life expectancy has also increased from approximately 45–47 years in 1962 to between 65 and 68.5 years today. Improvements in healthcare, infectious disease management and child survival have contributed to this progress.

Population growth and urbanisation
•Uganda's population has increased more than sixfold since independence, rising from approximately 8.1 million people in 1962 to 52.7 million in 2026.

Population density has grown from about 34 people per square kilometre to approximately 264 people per square kilometre, according to the report.

Urbanisation has also accelerated. In the early 1960s, only about four to five per cent of Ugandans lived in urban areas. Today, more than a quarter of the population lives in urban centres, with the report putting the urban population share at 30.8 per cent.

The growth has increased demand for housing, transport, jobs, education, healthcare and other public services, particularly in rapidly expanding towns and cities.

Political transitions remain a challenge
Despite the progress in infrastructure and social services, the report identifies political transitions as one of Uganda's longstanding challenges.

Uganda has had nine presidents since independence. According to the report, eight presidents cumulatively ruled for 24 years, while President Yoweri Museveni has remained in power for approximately 40 years after taking office in 1986 following a five-year guerrilla war.


This contrasts with the country's substantial economic and social changes over the same period and raises questions about political stability, democratic institutions and the future of leadership transitions.

In your view, has Uganda made enough progress in the 64 years since independence, and what should be the country's biggest priority going forward?​