July 2025 ©2025 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/International Development AssociationThe World Bank Group1818 H Street NWWashington DC 20433Telephone: 202-473-1000Internet: www.worldbank.org This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, andconclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of ExecutiveDirectors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors,denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of TheWorld Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. CitationWorld Bank, Ministry of Education and Sports, and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. 2025. The Uganda Human Capital Development and Growth Review Report: Policy Brief. Washington, DC: World Bank. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. The World Bank encourages dissemination of its knowledge, so this workmay be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given.Any queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to the Office of the Publisher, TheWorld Bank, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA;FAX: 202-522-2422; e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org. Photo credits: The World Bank GroupDesign: Print Innovations and Publishers LtdPrinting: New Vision Printing & Publishing Co. Ltd Table of Contents Lists of Boxes, Tables, and Figures .....................................................................................................................................................................................................ivList of Acronyms............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................viiForeword.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................viiiAcknowledgements..............................................................................................................................................................................................................ixExecutiveSummary....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................xiHuman Capital Development: Overall Progress and Challenges...............................................................................................................................xiiProgress and Challenges Across the Specific Human Capital Sub Programs...................................................................................................xiiiGame Changers...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................xvi 1.TheStateandPotentialTrajectoryofUganda’sHumanCapital....................................................................................1 The demographic dividend is a historic opportunity for accelerating socio-economictransformation in Uganda...........................................................................................................................................................................................................1Two scenarios for human capital in Uganda: Business-as-usual or Vision 2040 acceleration.....................................................5Program-based budgeting, decentralization, regional integration, and refugee integration cansupport human capital development...............................................................................................................................................................................8A Human Capital Approach to Development: Lessons from International Experience................................................................11Human capital investment strengthens resilience and social cohesion............................................................................................13Overview of this report..........................................................................................................................................................................................................15 2.EducationforEconomicGrowth:Acatalystforhumancapitalandinnovation.....................