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Private sector

Entrance to the personal banking section of a bank
Purchasing Managers’ Index

Private sector picks up pace in April despite fuel-driven cost pressures

Uganda's private sector expanded for a 15th month as the PMI rose to 55, though rising fuel costs and a declining BTI weighed on firms
An aerial view of a bright green Evergreen shipping container being transported on a red automated guided vehicle across a paved port terminal.
Purchasing Managers’ Index

Fuel costs temper steady private-sector expansion at quarter-end

Uganda’s PMI rose to 54.3 in March while BTI eased, as fuel costs and weak construction tempered momentum
High-angle view of an expansive industrial warehouse showing systematic stock accumulation in yellow bins and tiered racking.

Business conditions strengthen in February

The Stanbic Bank Uganda PMI jumped to 54.2 in February as output, employment, and new orders all rose across monitored sectors
A polling station at an unknown location in Uganda

Private sector extends growth streak to a year

Uganda's PMI reading of 52.6 extended the private sector's growth streak to a year, despite some disruption from the election period
A flatbed lorry loaded with stacks of cement bags on a street in Jinja, Uganda.

Private sector growth gains momentum at year-end

Business conditions in Uganda’s private sector strengthened at the close of 2025, with growth edging higher in December according to the latest survey of purchasing managers
A high view of a large storage area with various racks and containers

Private sector growth accelerates in November

Business conditions in Uganda's private sector strengthened in November, with growth accelerating for the second time in three months, according to a closely watched survey
Various currency notes of African countries are seen in this photo

Stronger currencies ease inflation pressures across sub-Saharan Africa

Strong currencies have helped curb inflation in several sub-Saharan African countries, giving central banks room to ease interest rates and stimulate business activity
Downtown Kampala, where wholesale and retail trade are the dominant economic activities, close to the Old Taxi Park and St Balikuddembe Market

Business conditions improve for first time in four months

September PMI data shows Uganda’s private sector strengthened for the first time in four months
Street scene outside a luggage shop in downtown Kampala

Private sector activity slows in August

Business activity in Uganda's private sector continued to expand in August, albeit at a slower pace, according to the latest purchasing managers’ index produced by S&P Global

More Private sector

5 August 2025

Gauge of business activity slips in July

A measure of business conditions in Uganda's private sector pulled back to its lowest level in four months, although it remained in expansion territory

A man wearing protective gear works on a machine in a factory
3 July 2025

Business activity edges down in June, but still solid

A gauge of business conditions in Uganda's private sector expanded at a solid pace in June, though weaker than the prior month, as new orders and output continued to strengthen

Daily newspaper economy stock market chart
5 June 2025

Uganda economic activity hits highest in almost 2 years

Business activity in Uganda's private sector expanded at its fastest pace in 23 months during May, a private survey showed Thursday

A factory with several activities taking place
4 September 2024

Private sector activity expands at fastest pace in more than a year

Uganda's private sector activity grew at the fastest pace in 14 months in August, pointing to rising demand as the country's economic recovery gains momentum

This photograph shows four women picking tea on a plantation in Uganda. The woman furthest from the camera is leaning forward, her face visible in the frame. She is laughing and appears to be chatting with her colleague. Two of the women are carrying baskets into which they are picking the tea, while one is picking into a sack.
5 August 2024

Business activity edges higher in July

Uganda's private sector grew at a faster pace in July as output and new orders picked up for the fourth month running, according to a closely watched business survey

An overhead view of Kikuubo, Kampala's busiest market
27 October 2023

Nurturing African futures: rethinking youth empowerment in a changing world

Africa's large young population requires education and training that fosters competitiveness, necessitating government collaboration with both the private sector and civil society

Eleven teenage students in Ghana, all seated
3 March 2022

Inflationary pressures persist as business activity hits 9-month high in February

Private sector activity expanded in February, accelerating the most in nine months after the phased removal of pandemic restrictions, but a rise in input and labour costs saw companies raise output prices yet again

A retail shopping centre in downtown Kampala, Uganda
3 February 2022

Business activity rises to 8-month high as economy reopens

A gauge of Uganda private sector activity rose to its highest level in eight months, a sign that the economy is regaining momentum following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions

A teacher and pupils in a classroom
3 December 2021

Stronger demand and rising orders spark employment growth

Uganda's private sector posted its fourth month of consecutive growth as strong orders incentivised companies to increase staffing levels for the first time in six months

Female worker in a garments factory
7 April 2021

Business activity measure points to a gradual recovery

The rise in the index signals that “the economic recovery is gaining momentum as conditions gradually return to normal”