Economic Outlook 2016 UG
Economic Outlook 2016 UG
Economic Outlook 2016 UG
Outlook 2016
The Story Behind
the Numbers
Disclaimer
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2|
Preamble
The Uganda Economic Outlook 2016 report provides an overview of Ugandas economic environment and key sectors. The report also highlights
significant allocations from the 2016/17 budget to various sectors in the country.
June 2016
Economic overview
Ugandas GDP increased from about 5% in 2014 to an estimated 5.6%
in 2015 driven by infrastructural development primarily being funded by
the Chinese, according to data released by the Uganda National Bureau
of Statistics (UNBS).
4|
8%
6%
4000
4%
3500
Ja
n15
Fe
b15
M
ar
-1
5
Ap
r-1
5
M
ay
-1
5
Ju
n15
Ju
l-1
5
Au
g15
Se
p15
Oc
t-1
5
No
v-1
5
De
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5
Ja
n16
Fe
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M
ar
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Ap
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2%
3000
Chart
2500
1: GDP
annual
Inflation
Rate growth estimates (%)
n1
Ap 2
r-1
2
Ju
l-1
2
Oc
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Ja 2
n1
Ap 3
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3
Ju
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Ap 4
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2000
Ja
6%
UGX/USD
5%
25%
GDP
EIU forecasts lower growth for 2016 due to significantly lower economic
activity arising from tight lending conditions and lower investment
flows. This is following the uncertainty surrounding the presidential
elections.
Investment in infrastructure will have a strong bearing on economic
growth, with the construction industry expected to expand rapidly.
The power sector is poised for growth, with a total of eight generation
projects including two large Chinese-funded hydropower projects,
scheduled to be commissioned in 2017-18.
20%
4%
15%
GDP
10%
3%
2014
5%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Ja
n15
Fe
b15
M
ar
-1
5
Ap
r-1
5
M
ay
-1
5
Ju
n15
Ju
l-1
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Au
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5
No
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5
De
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5
Ja
n16
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M
ar
-1
6
Ap
r-1
6
Source:
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
0%
91 T-bill trend
rate (%) inflation
Lending
rate (%)
Chart 2: Monthly
2015-2016
10%
8%
6%
Inflation
Bank of Uganda had its job cut out with both headline and core
inflation being on the upward trend during the early part of the
2015/16 fiscal year. The BOUs monetary policy stance was supported
by the sustained abating of food and energy prices in 2016. This led
to the easing of the overall and core inflationary pressure.
The reduction in inflationary pressures is attributed to stringent
monetary policies that were enforced in order to curb inflation that was
being caused by the depreciation of the shilling.
Ja
2%
n15
Fe
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M
ar
-1
5
Ap
r-1
5
M
ay
-1
5
Ju
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Ju
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5
Au
g15
Se
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Oc
t-1
5
No
v-1
5
De
c-1
5
Ja
n16
Fe
b16
M
ar
-1
6
Ap
r-1
6
4%
Inflation Rate
The EIU expects the central bank to maintain a cautious tight monetary
policy in near future despite relative stability of the shilling and
conclusion of the presidential elections which caused double digit
inflation in 2011 due to excessive government spending.
The EIU forecasts inflation to average 7.1% between 2017 and 2020.
6%
5%
Interest rates
The outlined monetary and fiscal policies stance as well as the
imperfectly competitive structure of the financial system continues to
4000
influence pricing in the money market. Whereas commercial banks
lending rates were fairly stable, they remained high due to: the large
3500
fiscal deficit that gives the banks the option of investing in risk-free
government securities; perception of high risks in lending to the private
3000
sector in view of the depressed state of the economy, the generally
uncompetitive banking system where banks are content to serve
2500
niche market segments; and high operating costs from modernisation,
outreach expansion and low income base of customers.
Ja
n1
Ap 2
r-1
2
Ju
l-1
2
Oc
t-1
Ja 2
n1
Ap 3
r-1
3
Ju
l-1
3
Oc
t-1
Ja 3
n1
Ap 4
r-1
4
Ju
l-1
4
Oc
t-1
Ja 4
n1
Ap 5
r-1
5
Ju
l-1
5
Oc
t-1
Ja 5
n1
Ap 6
r-1
6
2000
UGX/USD
Ja
0%
n15
Fe
b15
M
ar
-1
5
Ap
r-1
5
M
ay
-1
5
Ju
n15
Ju
l-1
5
Au
g15
Se
p15
Oc
t-1
5
No
v-1
5
De
c-1
5
Ja
n16
Fe
b16
M
ar
-1
6
Ap
r-1
6
5%
10%
6%
4%
Ja
n15
Fe
b15
M
ar
-1
5
Ap
r-1
5
M
ay
-1
5
Ju
n15
Ju
l-1
5
Au
g15
Se
p15
Oc
t-1
5
No
v-1
5
De
c-1
5
Ja
n16
Fe
b16
M
ar
-1
6
Ap
r-1
6
62% |
Exchange rates
Developments in the external sector, coupled with market sentiments
and expectations influenced the foreign exchange market. During the
year 2015/16, the foreign exchange market was characterised by a
substantial depreciation. Whereas a general depreciation trend was
observed, it was characterized by limited volatility as the BOU able to
appropriately intervene to obviate such volatility.
3500
3000
2500
Ja
n1
Ap 2
r-1
2
Ju
l-1
2
Oc
t-1
Ja 2
n1
Ap 3
r-1
3
Ju
l-1
3
Oc
t-1
Ja 3
n1
Ap 4
r-1
4
Ju
l-1
4
Oc
t-1
Ja 4
n1
Ap 5
r-1
5
Ju
l-1
5
Oc
t-1
Ja 5
n1
Ap 6
r-1
6
2000
UGX/USD
0%
Sectoral perspectives
Financial services
Banking
The effects of an aggressive monetary policy adopted in 2015 by the
Government of Uganda (GoU) have been felt within the commercial
banking sector. After maintaining the Central Bank Rate (CBR) at 11
percent from June 2014, the Bank of Uganda (BoU) increased the CBR
to 17% in October 2015. Interest rates increased in line with this and
this is expected to have a negative impact on asset quality and uptake
of private sector credit.
Retirement benefits
In 2010, the GoU set out a framework for changes to be implemented
in the regulation of the pension sector. The aim was to allow workers
to have a choice in the pension schemes they contribute to and the
way they receive their benefit payments i.e. annuity or lump sum, while
ensuring maximum safety for their savings. These reforms also target
to widen the scope of the pensions sector, to cover the formal and
informal sectors.
Insurance
The insurance industry has contributed to and benefited from economic
development in Uganda. Gross Written Premiums (GWP) increased from
UGX 502 billion in 2014 to UGX 611 billion in 2015 representing a
28% growth. The sector which is 76% dominated by non-life business
benefited from the increase in insurable assets leading to the uptake of
of local insurance by large infrastructural projects, increase in uptake of
loans leading to increased demand for Loan Protection Insurance.
The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) forecasts that further progress
in the insurance industry will be driven by developments of mobile
technology, diversification of target markets to increase penetration and
innovation of insurance products such as bancassurance, agricultural
insurance and oil and gas insurance.
With NSSF as the only pension fund available to workers, the Bill will
also reduce the taxpayers money used to fund pensions because it
proposes a more sustainable model in which the civil servants would
contribute to their own retirement benefits.
Capital markets
The Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) has a total of 16 companies
trading on the bourse with 4 companies cross listed from neighbouring
Kenya. The capital market in Uganda still lags behind in the region with
market capitalisation as a percentage of GDP stood at 5.5% of equity
and 0.27% for debt as at October 2015. In Kenya, stock exchange
market capitalisation to GDP was at 41% during the same period.
The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) of Uganda prepared a 10 year
Capital Markets Development Masterplan in December 2015 that
among others aims to increase supply of securities, widen demand
for securities by broadening investor base and simplify legal, fiscal,
regulatory and institutional frameworks.
10 |
Extractive Industry
The first major discoveries of oil reserves were made in the Lake Albert
area of Uganda by Tullow Oil in 2006. Since then, recoverable reserve
estimates have risen to approximately 750 million barrels.
Following negotiations between International Oil Companies (IOC)
and the Ugandan Government an agreement was reached on the
construction of a 60,000b/d refinery in the Hoima district, Western
Uganda to refine domestically produced crude, when production begins
from the Albertine discoveries in 2020.
The next step in commercialization of these discoveries is new
infrastructure, including an export pipeline. A range of possible pipeline
routes to ports, initially to Lamu or Mombasa in Kenya and later to
Tanga in Tanzania, have been signed. Delayed progress in developing
an export route for these inland discoveries is stalling upstream
development.
UGX 188.2 billion has been allocated to implement programmes for
oil and gas development, institutional and skills development including
operationalizing the National Petroleum Authority and establishment of
the National Oil Company.
According to BMI Ugandas power sector remains focused on
hydropower capacity, which will leave the country vulnerable to
potential intermittent electricity generation during periods of decreased
rainfall or drought. Approximately 90% of the countrys electricity is
generated from hydropower.
Uganda is currently exploring the potential for geothermal energy, and
will drill three exploration wells. It is estimated that up to 30MW can be
generated from each successful well. The government is also exploring
possibilities of developing nuclear power capacity and solar power
production.
Public sector
The GoU intends to refocus public service efforts to improve delivery
of quality outputs. This is expected to reduce wastage, laxity and
limited responsiveness. Actions such as 50% cut in advertising budget
for ministries and a forensic audit of government salaries, wages and
pensions have been proposed.
Security
The defence budget in Uganda has been on the rise, owing largely to
the deteriorating security situation in the region, and with Ugandan
troops deployed in many of the neighbouring conflict areas. A record
breaking budgetary allocation of UGX 1,633 billion was made in the
2015/16 budget to be used mainly for acquisition of modern weaponry,
strengthening intelligence capability, training and welfare.
Allocations in 2016/17 reduced to UGX 1588.03 billion to build capacity
of the security forces to maintain security for both national and across
the region purposes. Security and defense spending is forecast to
increase due to instability in the region as Uganda seeks to maintain its
dominant combat and peace keeping missions in the region.
11
Rail
Under the railway sector, the Ugandan Government in collaboration
with other Partner states within the East African region is undertaking
efforts to revitalize the railway transport system. Government will fast
track the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) throughout
Uganda.
The health sector received UGX 1,270.8 billion during this fiscal year a
reduction of UGX 6 billion from the previous year. According to BMI,
this still remains below the Abuja Declaration target of 15% of total
government expenditure.
Airport
In August 2015, the Ugandan parliament approved a loan of nearly USD
325 million from the China Exim Bank to upgrade Entebbe International
Airport. Parliament approved the loans initial tranche of USD 200
million to cover first phase of the project, on condition the remaining
loan amount of USD125 million will come in FY2018/19 for the second
phase of the project. Work is expected to start in June 2016.
12 |
The government relies on aid from donors to fund the healthcare sector
with 40% of healthcare spending funded from external sources.
In 2014, local pharmaceutical manufacturers received government
approval to be protected from foreign competition in order to expand
the populations access to medicines. This will lead to a reduction in
Ugandas extreme import reliance and has the potential to expand the
populations access to lower-value medicines.
Opportunities exist in dissemination of drugs to the population.
According to the Ministry of Health, in November 2015, over 750,000
people were affected by a drug shortage in government facilities due to
challenges from distribution by the National Medical Stores.
Tourism
Tourism has been highlighted by the government as one of the fastest
growing service sectors in the Ugandan economy, and the single largest
export earner.
About 26.4% of the countrys total area is under protected areas such
as national parks, species management areas, game reserves, wilderness
areas, marine reserves and Ramsar sites. Total industry contribution
to GDP is approximately 9% employing approximately 8% of total
workforce in Uganda.
Although the direct allocation to this sector has been low, one can
argue that the linkages with other sectors like infrastructure, education,
security, agriculture or energy will indirectly boost the sector. UGX 158.5
billion was allocated to the tourism sector in the FY 2015/16 budget. In
this years budget, allocations have increased to UGX 158.5 billion.
The Government has developed a 10-year tourism master plan and
a five-year sector Development Plan to guide the implementation of
critical activities to drive tourism growth in the country. Actions to
revitalize the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in the medium term
include:
Undertake human capital development in the hospitality sector
to fulfil the requirements for high standard of performance in the
hospitality industry;
Complete the rating and ranking of hotels and restaurants;
Develop strategic tourism infrastructure in partnership with the
private sector; and
Enact and enforce sector regulation to ensure the maintenance of
sector standards at internationally acceptable levels.
13
Education
Government continues to support the education sector with free
universal education to A-Levels, secondary schools and primary schools,
provision of funds for the necessary physical infrastructure, support
private sector vocational institutions with resources and development
and retention of a pool of national expertise in certain sectors. As a
result of the 2014 census, the GoU reported 72% of the population to
be literate.
In last years budget, the sector was allocated UGX 2,029 billion (8% of
the total budget amount) for human capital improvements.
A teachers strike in 2015 prompted allocations to the sector go up to
cater for increase in salaries. In May 2015, teachers called off the strike
after government agreed to give them 15 % increment in the 2016/17
financial year.
In order to enhance tertiary level education, salaries of teaching staff in
Public Universities have been increased with a UGX 50 billion allocation
in the 2016/17 budget. A further UGX 78 billion has been provided for
in next years budget.
14 |
Contacts
CEO
Sammy Onyango
[email protected]
Joe Wangai
Audit leader
[email protected]
Deputy CEO
Joe Eshun
[email protected]
Ofiice leaders
Nobert Kagoro
Burundi and Rwanda
Managing Partner
[email protected]
Rodger George
Advisory leader
[email protected]
Nikhil Hira
Tax leader
[email protected]
Tax leaders
Solomon Gizaw
Ethiopia
Managing Partner
[email protected]
Nikhil Hira
[email protected]
Iqbal Karim
Mombasa, Kenya
Managing Partner
[email protected]
Lillian Kubebea
[email protected]
Eshak Harunani
Tanzania
Managing Partner
[email protected]
Fred Omondi
[email protected]
Getu Jemaneh
[email protected]
Offices
Burundi
42 Boulevard de la Libert
B.P 6444, Kinindo
Bujumbura
Tel: +257 76 443 000
Ethiopia
5th Floor, Mina Building
Ethio-China Friendship Avenue
Addis Ababa
Tel: +251 0115527666
Kenya
Deloitte Place
Waiyaki Way, Muthangari
Nairobi
Tel: +254 204230000 or
+254 204441344
10th Floor
Imaara Building, Kizingo
Opposite Pandya Memorial
Hospital
Off Nyerere Road
Mombasa
Tel: +254 41 222 5827 or
+254 41 2221 347
Rwanda
1st Floor, Umoja Building
KN3 Road
Kigali
Tel: +250 783000673
Tanzania
10th Floor, PPF Tower
Corner of Ohio Street & Garden
Avenue
Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255 222116006 or
+255 222169000
Uganda
3rd Floor Rwenzori House
1 Lumumba Avenue
Kampala
Tel: +256 417701000 or
+256 41434385
George Opiyo
Uganda
Managing Partner
[email protected]
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