State of the Nation Address Uganda 2025 Fact-Checked
The President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s 2025 State of the Nation Address came with bold claims on the economy, education, and Uganda’s digital progress. But how many of those statements hold up when tested against facts and official data? At Debunk, we took a closer look and fact checked various statements mentioned;
Claim: “Uganda’s inflation rate is one of the lowest on the African continent.”
Verdict: Accurate
Context: According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Uganda’s inflation rate has remained relatively low compared to other African nations. As of early 2025, the annual inflation rate was reported at approximately 3.2%, placing Uganda among the countries with the lowest inflation rates on the continent.
Claim: “Uganda is now exporting powdered milk to countries like Algeria.”
Verdict: Accurate
Context: Uganda has expanded its dairy exports, including powdered milk, to various countries, Algeria being one of them. The Uganda Dairy Development Authority reports a significant increase in milk production, facilitating these exports.
Claim: “Milk production has increased to 5.4 billion litres as of 2024, up from 2.5 billion litres in 2017/2018.”
Verdict: Accurate
Context: Data from the Ministry of Agriculture indicates that milk production in Uganda reached 5.4 billion litres in 2024, a substantial increase from 2.5 billion litres in the 2017/2018 period. This growth is attributed to improved dairy farming practices and government support.
Claim: “Domestic revenue collection is projected to be UGX 31.9 trillion by the end of this June.”
Verdict: Accurate
Context: The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) projected domestic revenue collections to reach UGX 31.9 trillion by the end of the fiscal year in June 2025. This projection aligns with the government’s fiscal targets and reflects ongoing efforts to enhance revenue mobilization.
Claim: “Uganda was ranked seventh among the fastest-growing economies in Africa.”
Verdict: Accurate
Context: According to the African Development Bank’s 2024 economic outlook, Uganda was ranked seventh among the fastest-growing economies on the continent, with a growth rate of approximately 5.3%. This ranking reflects the country’s economic resilience and diversification efforts
Claim: “We currently have three cement manufacturing plants, namely, Tororo, Hima and Simba Cement. We also have a high-quality tin smelting plant in Mbarara.”
Verdict: Mostly Accurate
Context: Uganda does have three active cement manufacturing plants:
- Hima Cement Ltd (Kasese & Tororo)
- Tororo Cement Ltd
- Simba Cement (Tororo)
These plants significantly support Uganda’s infrastructure sector. The tin smelting facility in Mbarara, operated by MCTU, was commissioned in 2023 and is the first of its kind in Uganda, enhancing mineral value addition.
Claim: “The National Population and Housing Census conducted last year showed that Uganda’s population is 46 million people. The literacy rate has also improved from 43% in 1986 to 80% now.”
Verdict: Mostly Accurate
Context: Preliminary results from the 2024 National Population and Housing Census estimated Uganda’s population at approximately 46 million people, consistent with the President’s statement. As for literacy, UBOS data shows literacy rates have steadily increased over the decades. While the official national literacy rate was last recorded at around 76% in 2022, projections into 2025 could place it close to 80%. The 43% figure from 1986 is consistent with historical estimates.
