The FitchGroup’s BMI research gives Uganda high marks for east Africa but low marks by global standards

The FitchGroup’s BMI research gives Uganda high marks for east Africa but low marks by global standards in its “Economic Opennness” report, noting “extensive privatization programmes by the government have opened up industries that were formerly closed to the private sector, such as infrastructure.” BMI says “while the Ugandan government has been on a privatization drive since 1993, dominant state-owned players still operate in [oil and gas, water services, power and agriculture]. Given the high levels of corruption in the Ugandan government they are likely to receive preferential treatment in terms of access to land at specific rates.” Land privatization will be an important issue, says the rating company. [BMI Research, “Economic Openness Analysis—Uganda—Q4 2017,” 17 October 2017]