• Uganda plans to borrow around $2.5 billion for major infrastructure and energy projects.
• The loans involve the World Bank’s IDA, Citibank, and Standard Chartered Bank.
• The move could increase public debt, now at $32.3 billion, up 26.2% year on year.

Uganda is preparing to secure a series of loans from international institutions and commercial banks to finance key projects in agriculture, road infrastructure, and energy. The borrowing plan, totaling about $2.5 billion, was submitted to Parliament on October 20, 2025.

We resume #PlenaryUg tomorrow, 10am, with Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon @Thomas_Tayebwa presiding. Below is the Order Paper. pic.twitter.com/SKxGJ34gvy

— Parliament of Uganda (@Parliament_Ug) October 19, 2025

The proposal includes $1.341 billion from the International Development Association (IDA), part of the World Bank Group, along with a $328 million grant to fund various development programs and strengthen public services.

Additionally, about €422.4 million ($491 million) is being sought from Citibank to boost agricultural productivity and build new roads linking Jinja, Kamuli, and Bukungu. Another €460 million is requested from Standard Chartered Bank to finance the Karuma–Tororo power line, several substations, and strategic oil roads.

If approved by Parliament, these loans are expected to enhance the country’s essential infrastructure and support national development goals.

However, they are also likely to add pressure to Uganda’s growing public debt, which rose by 26.2% to $32.3 billion in fiscal year 2024/2025, driven mainly by increased domestic borrowing to meet government financing needs, according to the Ministry of Finance.