Uganda: jobs and pay

How many people are employed in Uganda?

Private formal establishments employed over 2,319,683 workers in 2024/25, up from about 672,300 in 2016/17, according to the Budget Speech for 2026/27. The speech also counts 503,738 public sector jobs and 10,513,014 informal jobs reported in April 2026.

The speech says services now account for 50.5% of total employment, agriculture 37.1% and industry about 12.4%. These figures come from different sources, so they should not simply be added together. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics compiles the underlying figures, but its website could not be reached on 15 October 2026. The World Bank's modelled ILO estimate puts unemployment at 2.7% in 2025; it counts people without any work who are looking for it, so it is low where most people do informal work.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Budget Speech FY2026/27 · World Bank: unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Uganda

How much can you earn in Uganda before paying income tax?

Parliament approved an increase in the PAYE (pay as you earn) threshold from Shs 235,000 to Shs 335,000 a month, according to the Budget Speech for 2026/27 of 11 June 2026. Monthly employment income up to the new threshold is not taxed.

The speech says the change aims to raise take-home pay for low-income workers, at an estimated cost of Shs 96 billion in revenue. It applies from the 2026/27 financial year, which began on 1 July 2026. The rates charged on income above the threshold are set in the Income Tax Act, which the Uganda Revenue Authority administers; its website could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Budget Speech FY2026/27

Are teachers' salaries going up in Uganda?

An additional Shs 568.65 billion has been allocated from 2026/27 to enhance salaries for primary school teachers, and for arts teachers in secondary schools and BTVET institutions, according to the Budget Speech for 2026/27.

The speech puts the total wage and salary bill for 2026/27 at Shs 9.709 trillion. It does not give new pay scales by grade. The 2026/27 financial year began on 1 July 2026. Education as a whole is allocated Shs 6.66 trillion in the same budget.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Budget Speech FY2026/27

What support does Uganda give older people?

The Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) has reached 489,673 older people in total, with Shs 836.1 billion paid out, according to the Budget Speech for 2026/27. The Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons has supported 17,245 older people with about Shs 13 billion.

The figures are cumulative since each programme began, not yearly totals. The speech also says 72,772 people have received Shs 48.5 billion under the National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities, across 171 local governments. Among its reforms, the government plans to implement a contributory pension fund for public servants. The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development runs SAGE.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Budget Speech FY2026/27 · Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development

What is the minimum wage in Uganda?

No current official minimum wage figure was found on the sites of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Ministry of Finance, including the 2026/27 Budget Speech, checked on 15 October 2026.

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development is responsible for labour standards and would publish any minimum wage order.

Official sources: Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development

What is Uganda's minimum wage?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is 130,000 UGX a month (about $35). It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the average wage in Uganda?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2021, is $161 a month. That compares with $106 a month in 2012. It is 5th highest of 9 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $161 a month. World rank, highest first: 85th of 90.

What is the unemployment rate in Uganda?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Uganda was 2.7% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.9% (2005) to 3.8% (2020). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.2%, and Uganda placed 36th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 145th of 174.

How many young people in Uganda are unemployed?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Uganda was 4.2% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.6% (2013) to 5.7% (2020). It is 33rd highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 8.8%. World rank, highest first: 154th of 174.

What share of people in Uganda are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Uganda was 80.0% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 69.9% (2012) to 84.5% (2013). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3%, and Uganda placed 4th highest of 45. Worldwide: 8th of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Uganda?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Uganda was 75.6%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 65.5% (2012) to 81.9% (2013). It is 6th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 57.3%. World rank, highest first: 9th of 174.

How many people in Uganda are employed?

77.8%: that is the employment to population ratio in Uganda for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 67.4% (2012) to 82.9% (2013). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 58.8%, and Uganda placed 5th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 9th of 174.

How many workers in Uganda are self-employed or family workers?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Uganda at 74.4% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 19th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 67.6%. Worldwide: 23rd of 174.

What share of jobs in Uganda are salaried?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 19.5%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 18.7% (2021) to 21.5% (2016). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 29.0%, and Uganda placed 32nd highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 160th of 174.