Youth urged to champion debt justice as Uganda’s public debt reaches UGX 130 trillion

18 June 2026, 2:45 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

Young people have been urged to take a more active role in demanding transparency, accountability, and responsible public borrowing as Uganda’s public debt continues to rise, with experts warning that increasing debt servicing obligations could undermine investments in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, HIV/AIDS response, youth employment, and social protection.

The call was made during a webinar held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, under the theme “Youth Leading the Call for Debt Justice.” The online discussion, hosted on X, brought together economists, civil society leaders, youth representatives, and development advocates to examine the growing impact of Uganda’s public debt on the country’s future.

Uganda’s public debt has grown significantly over the past decade, reaching approximately UGX 130 trillion (US$35 billion) in the 2026/2027 financial year, according to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Debt servicing obligations are projected to rise to UGX 33.18 trillion, consuming a substantial share of government resources and reducing fiscal space for development priorities.

Opening the discussion, AHF Uganda Cares Country Director Henry Magala said public debt should be viewed not only as an economic issue but also as a youth development concern, given that young people constitute the majority of Uganda’s population.

“Seventy-eight percent of Ugandans are below the age of 30. Debt is not just an economic issue—it is a youth development issue because it directly affects opportunities for education, healthcare, employment, and economic empowerment,” Magala said.

He noted that today’s borrowing decisions will largely determine the opportunities available to Uganda’s young people in the years ahead.

Economist Pascal Muhangi from the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) emphasized that borrowing is not necessarily harmful if funds are invested in productive sectors capable of generating economic growth and improving livelihoods.

“Borrowing is not inherently bad. The real question is whether borrowed resources are generating economic value, creating jobs, and improving the lives of citizens. Debt must work for development,” Muhangi said.

He stressed the importance of prioritizing investments in high-impact development projects that can stimulate economic growth and generate sufficient returns to support future debt repayment.

Speaking during the webinar, Youth Parliament Speaker Rodney Adroni challenged young people to become more informed about public finance and debt governance, arguing that today’s youth will bear the consequences of current borrowing decisions.

“The debt conversation is not just about budget numbers; it is about history. If we ignore the legacy of dependency, we treat symptoms instead of causes. But if young people engage critically, we move from silence to informed action and toward economic dignity,” Adroni said.

He observed that although public debt is inevitable in many developing countries, many young Ugandans remain unaware of how debt affects national development and their future prospects. He called for more platforms that educate and empower youth to participate meaningfully in fiscal governance discussions.

Also speaking during the webinar, AHF Uganda Cares Youth Peer Leader Mariam Atheno highlighted the critical role young people can play in promoting transparency and accountability in public resource management.

“The voices of young people matter. We have a role to play in demanding accountability, transparency, and policies that prioritize people over debt,” Atheno said.

She added that increasing debt repayments often divert resources away from sectors that directly benefit young people.

“When resources are diverted to debt servicing, young people often feel the impact first through limited opportunities, underfunded schools, inadequate healthcare services, and fewer investments in youth empowerment,” she said.

The webinar also highlighted the broader global debt crisis. According to the World Bank, developing countries paid a record US$1.4 trillion in debt servicing in 2023, significantly limiting investments in healthcare, education, and social protection. The International Monetary Fund projects that global public debt will exceed US$100 trillion, increasing fiscal risks for many low- and middle-income countries.

Across Africa, rising debt servicing costs continue to constrain governments’ ability to finance sustainable development priorities. Several countries now spend more on debt repayments than on healthcare and education combined, while East African countries—including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia continue to face increasing debt pressures linked to infrastructure financing, external borrowing, and post-pandemic economic recovery.

Organizers said the campaign seeks to increase youth awareness of public debt, strengthen the capacity of youth-led organizations to engage in evidence-based advocacy, and promote transparency and accountability in public borrowing.

With nearly 78 percent of Uganda’s population below the age of 30, participants agreed that young people must become active participants in national conversations on debt management, budget accountability, and fiscal governance to ensure that public borrowing contributes to sustainable and inclusive development rather than becoming a burden for future generations.