KAMPALA, May 17, 2025 — The United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] in partnership with the Government of Uganda and Kyambogo University have launched the 2025 Human Development Report [HDR], titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI”.
The report lunched on Thursday t Kyambogo University in Kampala delivers a sobering global message; after decades of steady gains, human development progress is slowing, and the world is at risk of a development crisis unless decisive action is taken.
Since 1990, UNDP through its flagship Human Development Report [HDR] has challenged conventional thinking about progress by putting people, not economic growth, at the centre of development. The 2025 HDR continues this tradition by examining how AI can be shaped to advance rather than undermine human development.
“The 2025 Human Development Report underscores the critical importance of strategic decision-making for Uganda to harness the transformative potential of AI,” said UNDP Resident Representative Nwanne Vwede-Obahor during the launch. “In alignment with this vision, UNDP remains steadfast in it’s commitment to working alongside stakeholders to support the Government of Uganda in creating an enabling environment for responsible and inclusive AI adoption.”
Vwede-Obahor added, “Human development is not predetermined – it is a matter of choice. Let us join forces to shape an inclusive, digital, and AI-powered future that leaves no Ugandan behind.”
Uganda’s HDI shows long-term gains, though inequality persists Uganda’s Human Development Index [HDI] value stands at 0.582, placing the country in the medium human development category and ranking it 157 out of 193 countries and territories.
Since 1990, Uganda has made significant progress with a 70.2 percent increase in HDI, driven by improvements in life expectancy [up by 20.7 years], expected years of schooling [up by 5.8 years], and GNI per capita [up by 158 percent].
However, inequality remains a persistent challenge. When adjusted for inequality, Uganda’s HDI drops to 0.400, reflecting a 31.3 percent loss due to disparities in health, education, and income – slightly higher than the Sub-Saharan average but significantly lower than the global average.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja in her speech read for her by Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology said that since adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, Uganda has been steadfast in its efforts to realize its aspirations.
In 2023, Uganda launched an ambitious growth strategy to expand its economy from USD 50 billion to 500 billion by 2040. The 10/4 Growth Strategy is anchored on agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development, and science, technology, and innovation [ATMs] to accelerate growth.
“The Fourth National Development Plan, to be implemented between 2025/26 and 2029/30, is the first of the three five-year NDPs that will deliver this tenfold economic growth. The NDP IV recognises that human capital development plays a crucial role in unlocking the full potential of individuals and societies, thereby enhancing productivity and the quality of life. It also recognises that science, technology, and innovation are deep drivers of progress,” she said.
Nabbanja said that this report arrives at a fitting moment for Uganda and the world, as they navigate the transformative potential and challenges of artificial intelligence. AI is both a great opportunity and a great responsibility. Uganda’s journey towards human development is one of resilience, experience, and focus. Over the years, we have witnessed significant advancements in various dimensions of human development, as reflected in the Human Development Index.
She noted, “The transition from the low to medium human development category in 2022 was a testament to our collective efforts in improving the wellbeing of our people. While we celebrate our achievements, we must also acknowledge the persistent challenges, particularly inequality and gender disparities. The 31.3 percent loss in Uganda’s Human Development Index due to inequality serves as a reminder of the work ahead of us.”
She added, “Gender inequality remains a significant concern, and one I am especially passionate about. Uganda’s Gender Inequality Index of 0.524 and ranking of 141 out of 172 reflect this. While we have made strides in empowering women and girls, there’s still much ground to cover to achieve gender equality. We must redouble our efforts to dismantle systemic barriers and create an enabling environment where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to national development.”
Nabbanja further revealed that people must not overlook the environmental challenges facing the planet. While Uganda exerts lower environmental pressures than the global average, the greenhouse gas emissions are growing at a high rate of 3.1 percent per annum. It is incumbent upon Ugandans to adopt sustainable practices to mitigate our impact and ensure a prosperous future.”
This 2025 HDR is important for Uganda because it underscores a critical truth: AI is not just a technological revolution, but a human development crossroads. The report must be contextualised within Uganda’s current social, economic, and political landscape. It is a call to action.
She said Uganda now has its Digital Transformation Framework, which provides a unified direction for ICT development. With support from partners such as UNDP, they have developed the Uganda Digital Vision. This strategy integrates and improves all ICT strategies and plans. Adding, “We also launched the Digital Transformation Roadmap in 2023 to guide our transition to a digital economy, focusing on infrastructure, e-governance, and innovation.”
“In addition, we have developed a Big Data Strategy to inform policy decisions, particularly in healthcare, agriculture, and climate resilience. Our AI Framework and upcoming National AI Strategy will guide ethical and inclusive AI deployment in key sectors such as health, agriculture, education, and public administration.”
Nabbanja said that the Government is committed to strategic infrastructure investment, education, and capacity building. We are ensuring equitable access to internet and digital technologies, particularly in underserved and rural areas and are also working to build digital literacy and AI skills, especially among women, youth, and marginalised populations.”
“Finally, we are establishing monitoring mechanisms to ensure AI governance frameworks uphold ethical standards and human rights. I hope you had fruitful deliberations in contextualizing the findings of this HDR in Uganda’s context. I am happy to note that relevant ministers and government officials actively participated in today’s discussions.”
The 2025 HDR emphasises that AI holds transformative potential for human development, though its benefits are not guaranteed. The report cautions that without strategic choices and investment in human capability, AI could deepen inequality.
For countries like Uganda, this represents both a risk and an opportunity. AI solutions must be tailored to Uganda’s specific needs. This includes integrating local languages, embracing cultural diversity, and focusing on augmenting jobs rather than replacing them to boost productivity.
The report reveals stark gender disparities. Uganda’s Gender Development Index [GDI] is 0.908, with female HDI [0.556] trailing behind male HDI [0.612]. The Gender Inequality Index [GII] ranks Uganda 141 out of 172 countries, pointing to persistent inequality in education, labour force participation, and political representation.
On the environmental front, Uganda’s Planetary Pressures–Adjusted HDI is 0.569, only slightly lower than its HDI. This relatively small adjustment [2.2 percent] suggests that Uganda exerts less pressure on the planet than the average Sub-Saharan country, underscoring opportunities for sustainable development.
The report findings point to the need for Uganda to focus on: Building a complementarity economy: Positioning AI as a tool to enhance – not replace – human work. Driving innovation with intent: Ensuring AI serves public good by embedding equity and inclusion in its development. And Investing in capabilities that count: Strengthening education, digital literacy, and access to AI tools.
With a youthful tech-savvy population, ongoing digital expansion, and a strategic Fourth National Development Plan [NDPIV], Uganda is well-positioned to harness AI to accelerate development, with success dependent on making the right choices today.
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