Uganda’s Public Debt Raises Alarm in Auditor General’s Report

Kampala- Uganda’s public debt has risen sharply over the past four years, triggering concern from the Auditor General over the country’s growing debt burden.

According to the latest Auditor General’s report, Uganda’s total public debt increased from Shs69.20 trillion in 2021 to Shs114.60 trillion in the financial year ending June 2025.

The report highlights a particularly steep rise in domestic debt, which grew from Shs39.16 trillion in the 2023/2024 financial year to Shs59.02 trillion by the end of the 2024/2025 financial year.

Despite the escalating debt levels, the report notes an improvement in government revenue performance over the last four financial years. Government revenue collections rose from Shs22.098 trillion in the 2021/2022 financial year to Shs32.357 trillion in 2024/2025.

The Auditor General attributes the improved revenue performance by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to enhanced collections from taxes on gains and profits, fees and licenses, value added tax (VAT), customs duties, and excise duties.

However, Auditor General Edward Akol cautioned that the rising public debt remains a major risk to the country’s economic stability. He emphasized that government and all responsible agencies must urgently take measures to reduce the debt burden, warning that continued increases in public debt every financial year could pose serious dangers to the economy.