The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has warned that regional, economic and social inequalities continue to limit Uganda’s development gains, despite government investments in health, education, infrastructure and economic empowerment programs.
Presenting the 12th Annual Report on the State of Equal Opportunities in Uganda for the 2024/25 financial year, the Commission said government initiatives have progressively widened access to essential services, but benefits remain unevenly distributed, particularly among vulnerable groups in Northern and Eastern Uganda.
“The progress we celebrate in national development is not yet felt equally across the country,” EOC Chairperson Safia Jjuuko said.
“Inequalities in health, education, governance and economic opportunity continue to limit access for marginalized populations. Our responsibility is to ensure no one is left behind.”
The Commission, mandated by the Constitution and the Equal Opportunities Act to monitor and enforce equal opportunity principles, noted that while notable progress has been achieved, structural inequalities continue to restrict advancement for many citizens.
Health access has improved through government investments, with specialised hospitals increasing from one national referral hospital before 1986 to five today, alongside 17 regional referral hospitals. General hospitals have grown from 49 to 193, and nearly all sub-counties now have a Health Centre III.
Staffing levels in public facilities improved from 53% in 2009/10 to 80% by 2022/23, contributing to improved outcomes such as reduced HIV prevalence from 18% in the 1980s to 5.4% in 2024, and significant declines in infant, under-five and maternal mortality. Life expectancy has risen from 47 years in the 1960s to 70.1 years for women and 66.9 years for men in 2024.
However, the report warns that these achievements mask widening inequalities.
Health facilities, medicines and specialists remain concentrated in urban and central regions, leaving remote and rural districts underserved. Persons with disabilities, older persons and low-income earners continue to face physical, financial and attitudinal barriers when seeking care.
The absence of a national health insurance scheme leaves millions exposed to catastrophic out-of-pocket spending, while weak preventive health measures, frequent drug stock-outs and limited reproductive and mental health services exacerbate disparities.
“Health outcomes are improving overall, but the inequalities are widening in areas where services are least accessible,” the report noted.
In education, the Commission recognized the transformative effects of Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education, which boosted enrolment and literacy among poor and rural families. Enrolment for children with disabilities increased from 20% in the 1990s to 60% by 2020.
Government efforts to expand higher education, including growth from one public university to 13 and the creation of scholarships and loan schemes, have further promoted inclusion.
Despite these gains, quality and performance remain heavily influenced by geography and income.
Learners in Central and Western regions consistently outperform those in Eastern and Northern Uganda in PLE, UCE and UACE examinations. High school fees, unofficial levies, inadequate school feeding, and long distances to school continue to exclude vulnerable children. Shortages of qualified teachers, overcrowded classrooms and limited Special Needs Education facilities persist in rural districts. Disparities in scholarship allocation leave historically marginalized sub-regions such as Karamoja, Teso, Acholi, West Nile and Elgon with fewer higher education opportunities. Cultural and economic pressures, teenage pregnancies, and insufficient support for students with disabilities were cited as key barriers to school progression.
Governance remains uneven, with women underrepresented in national leadership despite gains in Parliament and local councils.
Ethnic minorities have no parliamentary representation, and persons with disabilities, youth and older persons face mobility restrictions and discrimination that limit their participation in governance. The Commission stressed that inclusive governance requires equal access to civic space, political platforms, and public administration positions across all demographics.
Economic disparities persist despite programs such as the Parish Development Model, Youth Livelihood Programme and Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme.
Poverty remains heavily concentrated in the north and east, with Karamoja at 84.9%, Acholi 63.6%, West Nile 59.1%, Lango 57% and Teso 55.6%. Youth unemployment is 16.1%, with many young people stuck in low-paying informal jobs due to skills shortages and slow industrial growth. Weak decentralisation, under-resourced local governments and uneven infrastructure exacerbate regional inequalities.
“These persistent disparities impede equal access to opportunities and keep large segments of the population in poverty,” Jjuuko said.
The EOC called for strengthened funding for service delivery in underserved regions, recruitment and retention of skilled health workers in every sub-county, expansion of social protection for vulnerable households, increased investment in Special Needs Education infrastructure, fair access to scholarships and tertiary skills training, measures to reduce gender-based violence and cultural discrimination, and accelerated local economic development driven by community needs.
Monitoring and enforcement of equal opportunity laws must be intensified to reduce discrimination in public and private sectors, the Commission said.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has also emphasised education and social services as key tools to combat poverty and support vulnerable populations.
Speaking during the report’s unveiling, Minister Betty Among said the initiative focuses on underserved communities, particularly children and youth excluded from formal education due to poverty, pregnancy, or disability.
“The issue of education is fundamental,” Among said.
“As a government, we recognise that if we are to lift our people out of poverty, education is one of the most practical tools that can transform lives.”
Among highlighted technical schools constructed under the World Bank and IDA programs as key facilities equipping youth with practical skills, alongside Presidential Skilling Hubs offering free training for vulnerable groups, including out-of-school girls, young mothers and children from low-income families.
“These hubs are transforming lives,” Among said. “Majority of the beneficiaries are vulnerable girls who either dropped out of school, became pregnant, or whose parents cannot afford their education.”
Persons with disabilities are also prioritised through specialized training centers and common-user facilities designed to integrate them into the workforce.
Beyond education, the Ministry supports rehabilitation programs for children who have committed offenses or live in vulnerable circumstances, focusing on skills development and reintegration.
“Children who are at risk or have been involved in crimes are supported, skilled, and transformed,” Among explained. “The goal is to accredit them into society, giving them opportunities to contribute positively to their communities.”
Among said the report underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging education, skills development, and social services as tools for poverty reduction and social inclusion, and called on stakeholders to support initiatives reaching vulnerable populations. “The programs we are implementing are practical steps to ensure no one is left behind,” she added.
“Education, skills development, and social support are interlinked, and through them, we can lift communities out of poverty and foster sustainable development.”
The report also urges improved collaboration between ministries, development agencies, and local governments to expand access to educational and vocational opportunities. Among emphasised that successful implementation requires sustained commitment, funding, and monitoring to ensure that vulnerable populations fully benefit.