2020 middle income dream not feasible — NPA

 National Planning Authority (NPA) chairman Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa. Photo/File

Despite tireless efforts by the government to take Uganda to a middle income state in the next three years, National Planning Authority (NPA) chairman Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa says World Bank (WB) will not recognise the country even if its income figures reach the needed threshold.

Mugerwa told New Vision that even if Uganda reaches that income bracket; it will take several more years before the country gains entry to the elite group of countries in the middle income category.

"We shall only be accepted in that clan (middle income status) only after staying there for three consecutive years," he said.

WB classifies lower middle-income economies as those with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $1,026 (about 3.7m) and $4,035 (about sh14.6m).

According to WB, this classification or group threshold is important when considering countries when it comes to lending to them.

The push for the middle income has been championed by NPA, with the agency coming up with a number of frameworks, including Vision 2040.

Vision 2040 intends to transform Ugandan Society from a Peasant to a Modern and Prosperous Country within 30 years.

In his Kisanja Hakuna Mchezo (term of no joking), President Yoweri Museveni has highlighted achieving middle income status as a top priority.