Uganda: A Land of Abundant Resources, why is it Poor? Top 5 reasons and Possible Improvements.

Well, the growth and prosperity of a nation does not solely depend upon resources. There are also various other factors that could possibly impact the same. Myself Emmanuel Katto also known as Emka Emmanuel Katto, I’m a local journalist from Uganda who used to keep an eye on the recent news and all the happenings in Africa with a special emphasis on Uganda, I’m told you some of the interesting things about Uganda.  

1. History: The history of any country plays an important role in the growth of a country. The British Colonization of Uganda took place in the late 19th and 20th centuries. This was done for several reasons such as Strategic Interests, Trade and Resources, Missionary Activity, and several other reasons. This further laid down the benefits for Britishers with socio-political and economic structures in their favor.   
2. Slavery: The policies of the Britishers were one-sided treating the people of Uganda in a different way. Policies such as land dispossession, forced labor, taxation, and the imposition of their legal and administrative systems, have finally given rise to slavery in Uganda.   
3. Post- Independence Instability: Following independence in 1962, Uganda has undergone a series of political and social challenges. This included the rise and fall of different governments, military coups, and political instability. The resulting instability hindered economic development, scared away foreign investment, and disrupted social services, contributing to long-term poverty.  
4. HIV/AIDS and its effects: Uganda has been severely affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has had profound socio-economic consequences. The epidemic has led to a loss of human capital, increased healthcare costs, and weakened households and communities.  
5. Economic Dependency and the Structural Challenges: Uganda's economy has been heavily dependent on primary sectors such as agriculture, which are susceptible to external shocks and limited value addition. Insufficient diversification and limited access to finance and markets have slowed down the progress of Uganda.  

Although the situation in Uganda is improving in the current scenario. The government is also adopting a multi-faceted approach to promoting transparency, more investment in infrastructure and human capital, promoting economic diversification, and addressing the root causes of conflicts and social divisions. Looking at the current growth rate of Uganda as per the data from “Statista” the current growth rate of Uganda is 5.7% which is expected to rise to 6.29% by 2028. The government is also planning to transform the health and education sector to eradicate poverty.