President Museveni recently underscored the preliminary results of the 2024 Census, emphasizing that they validate the strategic approach of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). This affirmation came during a formal event at the Kampala Serena Hotel, where he received the initial census data.
Museveni addressed past controversies regarding population control measures. He criticized extreme birth control methods advocated by some groups, contrasting these with the NRM’s strategy, which focuses on addressing the fundamental causes of large family sizes through medical and socio-economic improvements. According to Museveni, the NRM has long held that reliable healthcare services and economic stability naturally lead to smaller family sizes. He cited the success of universal immunization programs and an increased life expectancy, now at 63 years, as evidence of this strategy’s effectiveness. These improvements have also facilitated the integration of more Ugandans into the money economy.
The President extended his congratulations to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) for their effective execution of the census. He urged Ugandans to discard old superstitions, such as the belief that counting children brings bad luck. Museveni called for a societal shift towards modern ideas and away from outdated beliefs that hinder progress.
Dr. Albert Byamugisha, the UBOS chairperson, acknowledged the cooperation across the nation that made the census possible. He credited the government’s prioritization and resource allocation under Museveni’s leadership for the successful enumeration. Dr. Byamugisha expressed gratitude to Ugandans for their active participation, which was vital for comprehensive data collection.
The preliminary census results reveal that Uganda’s population has grown to 45.9 million, marking an increase of 11.3 million since the last census in 2014. Dr. Chris Mukiza, the executive director of UBOS, provided details on the extensive scale of the operation, which involved 135,230 field workers, 14,669 enumeration supervisors, and 4,715 sub-county/division supervisors. The census utilized five different sets of questionnaires to gather detailed and extensive data.
These results highlight significant population growth and underscore the NRM’s ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare and economic conditions as effective strategies for managing population dynamics. The findings are seen as a validation of the government’s emphasis on socio-economic development rather than purely demographic controls.
In summary, the 2024 Census results reflect the success of the NRM's policies in improving healthcare and economic stability. By focusing on these areas, the government has addressed the root causes of large family sizes, thereby contributing to sustainable population management. The census data not only demonstrate population growth but also highlight the positive impact of socio-economic progress in Uganda.
