KAMPALA, UGANDA | Nearly half of Ugandans about 47 percent say they no longer trust public services, according to a recent National Governance, Peace & Security Survey (NGPSS) report released by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). This marks a drop from 54 percent in 2017, signaling growing disillusionment with government institutions.
UBOS collected data from roughly 9,000 households to assess public perception of institutions such as local government leaders, civil servants, and public-service providers. While trust in some institutions has improved, overall confidence in the public service has declined.
The report revealed that 14 percent of respondents admitted they had once offered a bribe to a public official. Meanwhile, three in ten people said they felt discriminated against when interacting with government offices. Many citizens also view poverty itself as a security threat, with 80 percent expressing concern that economic hardship could lead to unrest. Other top worries included unemployment, hunger, criminal violence, and evictions.
Not all faith in government is lost. Trust in public hospitals and clinics rose from 69 percent in 2017 to 75 percent in the new survey, while confidence in the police climbed from 46 percent to 60 percent. The court system also saw an increase in trust, from 47 percent to 56 percent. More citizens now believe that elected leaders listen to their concerns, with perceptions of responsiveness among party leaders rising from 29 percent in 2017 to 39 percent in 2025, and MPs from 32 percent to 35 percent.
UBOS officials noted that the survey focused on quantitative yes-or-no responses, so it did not explore the deeper reasons behind the erosion of trust. “We did not delve into analysis to understand why people had lost or gained trust,” said Dr. Vincent Ssenono, the UBOS Deputy Executive Director. Sharon Apio, UBOS’s Head of Demography and Social Statistics, added that while some institutions still perform well, the broader drop in trust reflects systemic issues.
Experts believe the findings have serious implications for Uganda’s development. The survey’s data are key to tracking progress under Uganda’s National Development Plan and achieving Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions. Erosion in public trust can weaken government legitimacy, undermine civic cooperation, and make public-sector reforms more difficult. Transparency, accountability, and better service delivery are more crucial than ever if the government hopes to regain the confidence of its citizens.