Uganda’s insurance industry has posted one of its strongest half-year performances yet, paying out Shs442.73 billion in claims between January and June 2025. The new figures, released by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), highlight both the growing uptake of insurance products and the sector’s commitment to honouring obligations.
Compared to Shs423.8 billion in claims settled over the same period in 2024, the increase reflects a market where more policyholders are accessing their benefits. According to IRA Chief Executive Officer Al Hajji Ibrahim Lubega Kaddunabbi, this trend is a sign of deepening trust. “The industry is not only growing in premiums but also showing its reliability by paying claims on time,” he said.
The report also shows that gross written premiums climbed past the Shs1 trillion mark for the first half of 2025 rising from Shs933.8 billion last year to Shs1.016 trillion this year. The growth of nearly 8.8 percent underscores increasing demand for insurance across both life and non-life segments.
Insurance penetration is also broadening. The number of lives covered has jumped by almost a quarter, with micro-insurance products leading the surge as more informal and low-income earners gain access to affordable coverage. Group policies have seen the sharpest increase, pointing to stronger uptake by companies and institutions seeking protection for employees and members.
With claims now representing more than 43 percent of premiums collected, analysts say the figures demonstrate that the industry is operating with greater transparency and responsibility. For citizens, the rising payouts provide reassurance that insurance is not just a theoretical promise but a working safety net.
As Uganda pushes to expand financial inclusion, the insurance industry’s growing footprint and willingness to settle claims may help shift long-standing scepticism, while strengthening resilience for households and businesses alike.