The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has confirmed the release of the final report from the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, scheduled for Thursday, 3rd October 2024, at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
According to Didacus Okoth, UBOS Public Relations Officer, this report will address the core census questions on how Ugandans live, what they own, and how they access vital services.
“This is a significant moment for Uganda. The final report will provide detailed statistics about the way people live, the assets they own, and their access to services like healthcare, education, and more,” said Okoth, speaking at a media briefing.
Okoth stated that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who launched the census roadmap in December 2023, expressed his satisfaction with the process. UBOS also delivered on the promise made during the launch of the preliminary results in June 2024, which provided key statistics on Uganda’s total population, gender distribution, and age groups, including youth and the elderly.
“His Excellency, the President, appreciated the efforts behind this census, which provides the foundation for Uganda’s planning for the next 10 years,” Okoth noted.
While the preliminary results answered basic questions about how many Ugandans there are and where they live, the final report dives deeper, covering housing conditions, service accessibility, and asset ownership.
“The preliminary results gave the total population of Uganda, the male-female split, the youth, and the elderly. But the final report is far more comprehensive,” Okoth emphasized.
Adding that: “It will tell us how many people own radios, televisions, and other household assets. This is critical data for both planners and investors.”
The report is expected to deliver rich insights on how the socio-economic landscape has changed over the last decade.
“For example, it will tell us how many Ugandans are now living in permanent structures compared to 2014, and how access to schools, healthcare, and agricultural services has evolved.” he said
He highlighted that the data would be used to inform key policy decisions on infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and economic growth.
According to Okoth, the report will even offer data on emerging issues such as mental health:
“UBOS will provide crucial information on the number of people affected by mental health issues, which has become a rising concern in the country.” he added
The release event will be live-streamed across several media platforms, including NTV and UBC, ensuring nationwide access to the information. UBOS encourages Ugandans to tune in and make use of the report, which will serve as a statistical benchmark for national planning over the next 10 years.
“The team has worked day and night to ensure that the information is ready for consumption by any citizen, whether you’re a policymaker, an academic, or simply an informed Ugandan,” Okoth stated.
With the census conducted once every 10 years, these findings will be vital until the next census. “This data will not only guide today’s decisions but will also serve as the foundation for future household surveys, poverty assessments, and other critical surveys,” he added.
According to the preliminary results released in June 2024, the total population is approximately 45.9 million, with a slightly higher number of females (23.4 million) compared to males (22.5 million), resulting in a sex ratio of 96.0. This indicates there are 96 males for every 100 females.
The annual growth rate of 2.9% suggests a healthy increase in the population, indicating ongoing demographic changes that will impact future planning for services and resources.
The total number of households is approximately 10.8 million, with an average household size of 4.4 individuals. This figure can help guide policies related to housing, social services, and community development.
The household population is reported as 45.5 million, which indicates that the vast majority of the population is living in households, essential for understanding social dynamics.