The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has unveiled the preliminary results of the 2024 census, revealing that Uganda’s population is approaching 46 million individuals. Dr. Chris Mukiza, the census commissioner, announced the findings, highlighting significant increases and demographic trends observed since the last census.
“Uganda’s population now stands at 45.9 million, up from 34.6 million in 2014,” stated Dr. Mukiza. “This marks a growth of 11.3 million people over the past decade, including approximately 780,061 refugees. The average household size has decreased slightly to 4.4 persons from 4.7 in 2014.”
Dr. Mukiza also noted that females constitute 51% of the population, indicating a slight majority over males. The data further reveals that youths make up 22.7% of Uganda’s population, while the elderly account for 5%.
The census night, set by the government for data collection, was May 9, 2024. This census marked Uganda’s first digital census, employing tablets for data collection, a shift from previous methods.
“This was the 11th census conducted in Uganda, starting from the first in 1911 and the sixth post-independence. It included five sets of questionnaires covering households, institutions, accommodation facilities like hotels, the floating population, and community data,” explained Dr. Mukiza.
Despite its successes, the census faced challenges, particularly in accessing hard-to-reach areas such as islands and mountainous regions. Issues like refusals from certain groups, including religious sects in the Busoga region, and conflicts over internal borders also posed significant hurdles.
“We encountered difficulties in areas like the Apaa land conflict, where local conflicts initially impeded our efforts. Thanks to the involvement of individuals like Winnie Ochaya, who volunteered as coordinators, we eventually achieved comprehensive coverage,” Dr. Mukiza acknowledged.
Dr. Mukiza commended various institutions including the UPDF, Police, Uganda Prisons, Internal Security Organisation, and the Electoral Commission for their support. They provided enumerators and logistical support crucial for the census operations.
Looking ahead, UBOS plans to conduct a post-enumeration survey to ensure data quality and will proceed with further data analysis. The final census results are expected to be published in September, providing more detailed insights into Uganda’s demographic landscape and socioeconomic trends.