News

Uganda’s population has grown by 1.6 million people, according to the report released today by the population secretariat. 

The high growth is as a result of the second highest fertility at 3.2% annually, second only to Niger. The report focuses on improving reproductive health and broadening opportunities for national development.

The two reports released; the state of Uganda Population report 2011 and the World Population Report 2011 outline the dangers of a rapidly growing population, with less or no increase in the country’s social services.

According to the national report, Uganda currently has about 33.6 million people, where as the world report forecasts 7 billion people by the end of October.

In 2011, Village Health Teams (VHTs) were able to increase Out Patients Department utilization from 67% to 89%.The proportion of deliveries taking place at the health centers also increased from 13.6% in 2007/2008 to 26% in 2010/2011.
The report calls for more engaging of the community to actively take part in improving their own health by prevention practices and protecting their environment.

Launching the report, Finance and Economic planning minister Maria Kiwanuka who represented the Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi welcomed the report, since the findings are necessary in the country’s planning process.
Poverty continues to be the main influence to population growth in Uganda. Not only does it force many idle people to have many children, but it is also one of the leading causes of Maternal Mortality in the country.

The report calls for a step up of efforts to implement the many policies that have been put in place. Efforts should be made to translate issues identified in the policies into concrete actions and corresponding budgets allocated for effective implementation.

Link to UN World Pop Report: http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/longrange2/WorldPop2300final.pdf

Link to Uganda Population Report: http://countryoffice.unfpa.org/uganda/?reports=4105

Link to Article: http://www.nbs.ug/2011/10/27/state-of-uganda-population-2011-report-released/