Uganda’s economic growth in last 20 years had no impact on jobs- NPA

By Tom Brian Angurini

A new report by National Planning Authority has shown that although the country enjoyed a steady micro-economic performance in the last 20 years, it has not had a significant impact on the structure of the labor market.

The report shows that whereas the economy has been growing at an average of 5.4 percent over the last 10 years, it has not created enough gainful jobs.

While releasing the report findings in Kampala this morning, Dr Joseph Muvawala executive director National Planning Authority says the working-age population is growing faster than economic growth.

He noted that the working-age population grew from 16.5 million between 2012-13 and 19 million in 2016-17, adding that a total of 700,000 people enter the labor market every year but only about 238,000 (34percent) are absorbed in the job market.

Muvawala now calls on the government to increase investment in productive areas, promote foreign direct investment and expand exports with a focus on supporting small and medium enterprises to access export markets while supporting small domestic ferns to grow to small and then large firms.

Written by Noelyn Nassuuna