Enterprises financed by the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) created and maintained a total of 69,202 jobs in 2025, an increase of 13,649 positions compared to the 55,553 jobs recorded in 2024, according to the Bank’s newly released Development Impact Report 2025.
The report, which assessed 525 UDB-funded enterprises across the country, highlights the Bank’s growing contribution to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV). The findings show that funded enterprises generated UGX 6,261 billion in gross revenue, posted a net profit after tax of UGX 1,158 billion, and contributed UGX 387 billion in Corporate Income Tax and PAYE.
Of the 69,202 jobs created and maintained, 27,641 (39%) were taken up by women, a significant increase from 31% recorded in the 2024 assessment. Youth employment was even more pronounced, with 50,227 jobs (73%) held by people aged 35 and under. Persons with Disabilities accounted for 192 jobs (0.3%).
The report also revealed that 41% of the jobs were permanent, up from 39% in 2024, attributed to continuous advocacy by the Bank for enterprises to formalise employment with favourable terms.
In terms of social inclusion, women represented 36% of shareholders, owning 27% of shares, while youth accounted for 28% of shareholders with 11% of shares. Women held 36% of board positions and 34% of senior management roles.
The industry sector was the largest contributor to job creation, accounting for 44,281 jobs (63.99%), followed by services with 9,099 jobs (13.15%) and primary agriculture with 6,596 jobs (9.53%). Within industry, the agro-based industrialisation sub-sector contributed 30,226 jobs.
Industrial capacity utilisation increased from 63.8% in 2024 to 65.10% in 2025, while agricultural productivity saw a 4.2% increase in coffee yields per tree.
In the education sector, 7,600 learners were enrolled in 24 UDB-funded learning institutions, a 36% increase from 5,561 learners in 2024. Seven learning spaces with 28 learning rooms, three science laboratories, and one hall of residence were constructed in 2025.
In healthcare, total hospital beds reached 622, with 24 ICU beds added in 2025. The increased bed capacity and procurement of specialised medical equipment led to 376,287 patients served in 2025, a 6% increase from 2024. Health tourism generated UGX 62 billion, with foreigners seeking services such as fertility treatments, orthopaedic care, and advanced diagnostics.
The tourism and hospitality sector faced headwinds, with average room occupancy declining from 57% in 2024 to 52% in 2025. The report attributed this to disruptions following the closure of USAID and reduced funding to many NGOs, which had provided a significant market for the hotel and hospitality industry.
On environmental compliance, NEMA certification among UDB-supported enterprises declined modestly from 72% in 2023 to 70% in 2025. Compliance remained strongest in the manufacturing sector and within tourism and hospitality, followed by infrastructure and agro-processing.
The 525 enterprises contributed UGX 387 billion in taxes, with the industry sector accounting for UGX 307 billion (79%). Foreign exchange earnings reached UGX 1,887 billion, with the industrial sector generating UGX 1,482 billion (80%), followed by services with UGX 220 billion (12%).
The report underscores UDB’s catalytic role in providing financial and non-financial solutions, particularly to the private sector, to drive job creation, output growth, profitability, tax contribution, and foreign exchange earnings. The Bank’s interventions are aligned with its three High-Impact Goals: building a sustainable agri-food system, promoting sustainable industrialisation, and developing a sustainable services sector.
