Embracing Inclusive Data: Uncovering The Invisible Populations

Posted by: lukwago J in Uganda news July 11, 2024

On World Population Day, it is crucial to acknowledge the plight of countless individuals in Uganda and across Africa who remain invisible in our data systems. This invisibility perpetuates their marginalization, exclusion, and denial of basic human rights.

As an advocate for inclusive data, I urge government, regional, and global leaders to prioritize the counting and representation of all individuals, especially those on the margins.

Progress and challenges in Uganda’s population data

While Uganda has made significant progress in improving its population data, capturing the diversity of our society remains a struggle. According to the preliminary results of the 2024 Census by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Uganda’s population has increased to 45,935,046 people from 34.8 million in 2014.

The breakdown by sex shows a slight female majority, with 23.4 million females compared to 22.5 million males. Children under 18 make up 50.5 percent of the population, while the working-age population stands at 55.6 percent, indicating a significant labor force.

Kampala remains the country’s economic hub, attracting a daily population of 627,340 visitors and boasting a resident population of 1,875,834.

Data gaps in East Africa and Africa

From an East African perspective, we face similar challenges to our neighboring countries. The East African Community has a combined population of over 200 million people, with a 3 percent average annual growth rate.

However, data gaps persist, particularly in rural areas and among marginalized communities. The situation is no different across Africa, where the population is projected to reach 2 billion by 2050, with over 60 percent of the population under the age of 25.

Shockingly, an estimated 100 million children under the age of five lack birth certificates, depriving them of access to basic services like healthcare and education. Additionally, only 44 percent of African countries have functional civil registration systems, leaving millions unaccounted for.

Globally, the situation is equally dire. The world’s population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, with an estimated 1 billion people lacking official identification.

The call by the UN Secretary-General to “count everyone” resonates deeply, highlighting the critical role of data collection in realizing human rights and sustainable development. It is vital for us to learn from best practices worldwide and support countries with limited capacity to improve their data systems.

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