Kagera records significant economic growth

KAGERA: KAGERA Region has experienced substantial economic growth between 2020 and 2025, following a government allocation of 1.131 tri/- for development projects.

The region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose from 3.7 tri/- in 2020 to 4.9 tri/- in 2025, reflecting the impact of strategic investments across multiple sectors. Kagera Regional CCM Chairman, Dr Nazir Karamagi, in his New Year message, highlighted remarkable improvements in health, education, infrastructure, water, energy, agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

“On behalf of all Kagera residents, I thank the government for the significant socio-economic transformation achieved over the past four years under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, with over 1.131tri/- disbursed for development projects between November 2020 and April 2025,” Dr Karamagi said. He added, “In just four years, Kagera has undergone a historic transformation that has positively impacted lives across the region.

In line with President Samia’s commitment to saving lives, the government has worked tirelessly to strengthen health services, and these efforts must be supported.

” The health sector saw major advancements, with 146.3bn/- invested. The number of healthcare facilities increased from 249 to 336, including hospitals rising from 3 to 11.

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Seven new district hospitals were constructed in Bukoba DC, Biharamulo, Ngara, Karagwe, Kyerwa, Missenyi and Bukoba MC, while the new district hospital in Muleba is 40 per cent complete.

Health centres grew from 29 to 42, and dispensaries increased from 217 to 283. Medicine availability rose from 85 to 93 per cent, and the health budget expanded from 100.6bn/- to 146.3bn/-.

The education sector also registered significant growth, with the budget rising from 96.7bn/- in 2020 to 128.1bn/- in 2025. Primary schools increased from 942 to 1,058, while secondary schools grew from 224 to 292. Classrooms expanded from 7,074 to 9,815 in primary schools and from 2,522 to 4,480 in secondary schools.

Teacher employment also rose, from 11,564 to 13,021, alongside a surge in pupil enrolment. He said access to clean water improved, with rural coverage rising from 76 to 83 per cent and urban areas from 85 to 93 per cent.

All 662 villages in Kagera are now electrified, while 1,763 out of 3,665 hamlets (48.1 per cent) have electricity through the Rural Electricity Agency (REA). Notably, Biharamulo and Ngara districts, previously reliant on electricity from Uganda, are now connected to the national grid.