Universities will determine Uganda’s tenfold growth by 2040

What the report says

Uganda’s government has set a long-term goal of expanding the economy from about $50 billion to $500 billion by 2040, a target outlined through the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV). In a commentary published by The Observer, the argument is that universities will be central to whether that ambition succeeds, alongside the plan’s focus on industrialization, value addition, innovation, export growth and a more productive workforce.

The piece says higher education institutions are not only places that issue degrees but also train the scientists, engineers, doctors, teachers, lawyers and entrepreneurs needed for national development. It points to Makerere University as an example of how Uganda’s university sector has evolved, noting its beginnings in 1922 as a small technical school and its later expansion into a major African university. The article also describes how Uganda now has more than 40 chartered and accredited universities, reflecting the country’s broader social and economic changes.

Looking ahead, the commentary highlights Makerere’s current strategic emphasis on research, innovation, partnerships and social transformation, including work supported by the Makerere Research and Innovations Fund. It also mentions collaborations with Italian universities and research activity at the Infectious Diseases Institute. The broader point is that Uganda’s growth strategy will need stronger universities, better use of expertise and more evidence-based leadership if it is to move beyond infrastructure and reach its 2040 targets.