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 People and possibilities the Age of AI” at Kyambogo University.
The report 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 center of development.
The 2025 HDR continues this tradition by examining how Al can be shaped to advance rather than undermine human development.
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“The 2025 Human Development Report underscores the critical importance of strategic decision- making for Uganda to harness the transformative potential of Al,” said UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor during the launch.
In alignment with this vision, UNDP remains steadfast in enabling environment for responsible and inclusive adoption.”
Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor added “Human development is not predetermined – it is a matter of choice, Let us join forces to shape an inclusive, digital, and Al-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% 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%).
However, inequality remains a persistent challenge. When adjusted for inequality, Uganda’s HDI drops to 0.400. reflecting a 31.3%%6 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 Robinnah Nabbanja’s speech, presented 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-industrialization, tourism, mineral development, and science, technology, and innovation what are call the ATMs to accelerate growth.
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“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 recognizes 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 recognizes that science, technology, and innovation are deep drivers of progress.”
“This report arrives at a fitting moment for Uganda and the world, as we navigate the transformative potential and challenges of artificial intelligence. Al 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.”
‘’While we celebrate our achievements, we must also acknowledge the persistent challenges- particulary inequality and gender disparities. The 31.3%%6 loss in Uganda’s Human Development index due to inequality serves as a reminder of the work ahead of us.”
“Gender inequality remains a significant concern, and one 1 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 systematic barriers and create an enabling environment where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to national development.”
“We must not overlook the environmental challenges facing our planet, While Uganda everts lower environmental pressures than the global average, our greenhouse gas emissions are growing at a high rate of 3.1% per annum. t is incumbent upon us to adopt sustainable practices to mitigate our impact and ensure a prosperous future.”
“Uganda now has its Digital Transformation Framework, which provides a unified direction for IC This strategy integrates and improves all ICT strategies and plans. we also launched the Digital development. With support from partners such as UNDP, we have developed the Uganda Digital Vision 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 Al Framework and upcoming National Al Strategy will guide ethical and inclusive Al deployment in key sectors such as health, agriculture, education, and public administration.”
“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. We are also working to build digital literacy and Al skills, especially among women, youth, and marginalized populations.”
“Finally, we are establishing monitoring mechanisms to ensure Al 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. l am happy to note that relevant ministers and government officials actively participated in today’s discussions.”
Al: A game-changer, though only if Uganda chooses wisely The 2025 HDR emphasizes that artificial intelligence (Al) holds transformative potential for human development, though its benefits are not guaranteed. The report cautions that without strategic choices and investment in human capability, Al could deepen inequality.
For countries like Uganda, this represents both a risk and an opportunity. Al 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 (G01) ts 0.905,with female HDI (0.556) trailing behind male HDI (0.612). The Gender inequality index (GIl) 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%) 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 Al as a tool to enhance – not replace – human work. Driving innovation with intent: Ensuring Al serves public good by embedding equity and inclusion in its development. And Investing in capabilities that count: Strengthening education, digital literacy, and access to Al tools.
With a youthful tech-savvy population, ongoing digital expansion, and a strategic Fourth National Development Plan (NDPIV), Uganda is well-positioned to harness Al to accelerate development, with success dependent on making the right choices today.
