Check population growth - Legislators
Jul 07, 2007
MPS want the Government to enact policies to check the country’s rapid population growth. The parliamentary forum on food security and population was concerned that if the population growth is not checked, the country was bound to suffer.
By Apollo Mubiru
MPS want the Government to enact policies to check the country’s rapid population growth. The parliamentary forum on food security and population was concerned that if the population growth is not checked, the country was bound to suffer.
“The rate at which Uganda’s population is growing is alarming. It is unacceptable for a poor economy like ours. The Cabinet should come up with measures to check it, †Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the forum’s chairperson yesterday told journalists at Parliament.
He argued that a larger population does not only cause land pressure but also destabilises peace and retards development, citing the land clashes between pastoralists and the locals in Bulisa district.
According to the 2007 State of the Uganda Population Report released last week, the country’s population is 28.4 million compared to the 26 million last year.
President Yoweri Museveni is one of the proponents of a bigger population for Uganda. He argues that a bigger population is a prerequisite for the economy’s growth.
But some MPs disagreed with this view.
“If the President wants a bigger population he has his reasons but what people should know is that the President will not give their children food or shelter,†the Bundibugyo Woman MP, Jane Alisemera said.
“It is up to couples to decide how many children they can look after. Don’t they ask themselves, how many children the President has? Somebody has only four children but has all the money he needs,†she added.
Alisemera attacked bishops whom she accused of telling the public to have more children.
The forum has also asked the health ministry to address maternal and infant mortality rates and equip health centres with equipment and staff.
MPS want the Government to enact policies to check the country’s rapid population growth. The parliamentary forum on food security and population was concerned that if the population growth is not checked, the country was bound to suffer.
“The rate at which Uganda’s population is growing is alarming. It is unacceptable for a poor economy like ours. The Cabinet should come up with measures to check it, †Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the forum’s chairperson yesterday told journalists at Parliament.
He argued that a larger population does not only cause land pressure but also destabilises peace and retards development, citing the land clashes between pastoralists and the locals in Bulisa district.
According to the 2007 State of the Uganda Population Report released last week, the country’s population is 28.4 million compared to the 26 million last year.
President Yoweri Museveni is one of the proponents of a bigger population for Uganda. He argues that a bigger population is a prerequisite for the economy’s growth.
But some MPs disagreed with this view.
“If the President wants a bigger population he has his reasons but what people should know is that the President will not give their children food or shelter,†the Bundibugyo Woman MP, Jane Alisemera said.
“It is up to couples to decide how many children they can look after. Don’t they ask themselves, how many children the President has? Somebody has only four children but has all the money he needs,†she added.
Alisemera attacked bishops whom she accused of telling the public to have more children.
The forum has also asked the health ministry to address maternal and infant mortality rates and equip health centres with equipment and staff.