Uganda has one million more females than males

By Raymond Baguma

Provisional results of the recently conducted national population and housing census indicate that Uganda’s population has grown from 24, 227,297 million in 2002, up to 34,856,813 million in 2014.

The results were released yesterday during a function held at Hotel Africana in Kampala officiated by the Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda.

The provisional results that were released by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) cover population size, distribution, sex and residence up to the sub-county level.

They show that Uganda’s population has increased by 10.7 million people since 2002.

However, notable in the findings is the revelation that females constitute the biggest percentage of the total population of Uganda, with 51% compared to males at 49%.

The results show that there are 16,935,456 million males in Uganda, compared to 17,921,357 million females.

The national sex ratio stands at 94.5 males for every 100 females.

The results show that the sex ratio has been declining over the previous censuses.

The districts with the lowest number of males compared to females include Kisoro, Mitooma, Maracha, Kabale, Kaabong, and Yumbe.
 

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In Kisoro, for example, there are 81 males for every 100 females.

On the other hand, in Kalangala, Buvuma, Nakaseke, Amudat and Kyankwanzi districts, the number of males outnumbers that of females.

In Kalangala, there are 134.5 males for every 100 females.

The UBOS executive director, Ben Mungyereza, pointed out that some outcomes of the census were still puzzling, such as reasons why the sex ratio was high in some districts of the country.

He said in districts such as Kalangala and Buvuma, the reasons for more men were because many migrate to these areas to engage in fishing activities.

Overall, Uganda’s population is growing at an annual rate of 3.03%.

This is a reduction from 3.2% in 2002. At this rate, Uganda’s population is projected to increase to 35 million people by next year, and to 47.4 million people by 2025.

However, the 112 districts in the country have varying growth rates.

The results indicate that 10 districts have an annual growth rate above 5%, while 22 other districts have a growth rate ranging between 3.5% and 5%.

Another 41 districts have a growth rate ranging between 2.5% and 3.5%. Also, 39 districts have a growth rate that is below the national growth rate.

According to the population projection for those between 18 and 30 years of age, there will be one million more young women compared to young men by 2015.

UBOS conducted the census from August 28 to September 6 in order to provide statistics on individual bio data, population size, distribution, fertility and mortality rates, areas of residence, occupation and socio-economic data such as reproductive behaviour, economic activities, education, schools and health facilities.

Other information was related to marital status, housing and household characteristics.

Mungyereza said detailed results, up to the parish level, would be published in December next year.

The provisional results also show that Uganda’s population distribution is uneven. Population distribution according to regions indicates that the central region districts have the highest population of 9.6 million people, followed by the eastern region with 9.1 million.

The western region districts have 8.9 million people and the northern region is least populated with 7.2 million people.

Wakiso is the most populous district in the country, with two million people.

This is an increase by 55% from the last census 12 years ago. Wakiso’s population accounts for about 6% of the country’s total population.

Kampala city is the next most populated, with 1.5 million people, up from 1.1 million people in the 2002 census.

Also, 10 other districts have populations of more than 500,000 people and include Kibaale, Arua, Kasese, Mubende, Mukono, Hoima, Kabale, Tororo, Rakai and Iganga.

However, some districts are less populous, with Kalangala having the smallest population of 53,406. Other least populated districts include Ntoroko, Bukwo, Buvuma, Lyantonde and Kween.

Also, urbanisation is increasing in the country.

There are currently 202 urban centres ranging from one city, 22 municipalities and 174 town councils.

There are six million people living in urban areas, of which 1.5 million live in the capital city Kampala, while the small town councils have less than 5,000 people each.