National Population and Housing Census 2024
Uganda, 2024
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Reference ID
UGA-UBOS-NPHC-2024-v01
Producer(s)
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS)
Metadata
Created on
Jan 20, 2025
Last modified
Sep 30, 2025
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Identification
Survey ID Number
UGA-UBOS-NPHC-2024-v01
Title
National Population and Housing Census 2024
Country
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Uganda | UGA |
Study type
Population and Housing Census [hh/popcen]
Series Information
The National Population and Housing Census 2024 is the eleventh in the series of Censuses Uganda has conducted, six (6) of which were conducted in the postindependence period. Population counts were conducted in 1911, 1921 and 1931, while Scientific Censuses were conducted from 1948 to date. The African and non-African populations were enumerated separately in 1948 and 1959. During the post-independence period, Population Censuses were conducted in 1969, 1980, 1991, 2002, 2014 and 2024. These were national in nature with both Ugandan and non-Ugandan populations being enumerated simultaneously. The NPHC 2024 conducted during the period 10th – 26th May 2024, is the first digital census conducted in Uganda.
Abstract
Overview of the Census
The National Population and Housing Census 2024 was conducted in line with international best practices and guided by the need to produce accurate, relevant, and timely data. Covering all households and individuals across the country, this census marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s journey towards data-driven development. The specific objectives of the NPHC 2024 were:
i) To ascertain size, structure and distribution of the population
ii) To gather data on housing conditions and access to basic services
iii) To monitor changes in key social and economic indicators since the previous Census
iv) To update census maps and lists of Enumeration Areas for effective execution of the census,
construction of efficient area sampling frames for subsequent surveys and geographical maps at
the lowest level.
v) To establish the statistical infrastructure for future operations at the lowest Local Government
level.
vi) To further enhance the capacity of UBOS staff to undertake future censuses and large-scale
sample surveys.
vii) Inform policies and programmes aimed at improving the quality of life of all Ugandans
Uses of National Population and Housing Censuses
The findings of the 2024 Census will be instrumental in shaping Uganda’s development agenda. They provide a basis for:
a) Planning: Facilitating evidence based National and Local Government planning processes.
b) Resource Allocation: Enabling equitable distribution of resources across programmes and Local Governments.
c) Program Design: Informing interventions in social services such as health, education, infrastructure, and housing, to mention a few.
d) Monitoring Progress: Tracking Uganda’s advancements towards achieving socio-economic transformation as envisioned in Vision 2040, the National Development Plans, as well as regional, continental and global development initiatives.
Key Findings
1. Population Size and Growth: Uganda’s population as of May 2024 was 45,905,417 persons, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 2.9 percent since the last Census in 2014.
2. Demographic Composition: A half of the population is under the age of 18. Five in every one hundred persons are aged 60 and above.
3. Housing and Living Conditions:
i) Eight in ten (81.1%) households have access to improved water sources
ii) Slightly over a half (53.4%) of households have access to electricity (25.3% from grid and 28.1% from solar).
4. Literacy: Seventy four percent of persons aged 10 and above were able to read and write meaningfully in any language.
5. Well-being and Health:
i) One third (33.1%) of the households were in subsistence economy.
ii) Twelve percent of persons aged 10 and above had experienced at least some form of probable general psychological distress.
6. Labour Force (15 years and above):
i) The working age group was 25,494,490 persons (57.4% of the population).
ii) The unemployment rate was 12.3 percent.
iii) The share of Youth (15-24 years) Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) was 4,001,528 persons (42.6%)
The National Population and Housing Census 2024 was conducted in line with international best practices and guided by the need to produce accurate, relevant, and timely data. Covering all households and individuals across the country, this census marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s journey towards data-driven development. The specific objectives of the NPHC 2024 were:
i) To ascertain size, structure and distribution of the population
ii) To gather data on housing conditions and access to basic services
iii) To monitor changes in key social and economic indicators since the previous Census
iv) To update census maps and lists of Enumeration Areas for effective execution of the census,
construction of efficient area sampling frames for subsequent surveys and geographical maps at
the lowest level.
v) To establish the statistical infrastructure for future operations at the lowest Local Government
level.
vi) To further enhance the capacity of UBOS staff to undertake future censuses and large-scale
sample surveys.
vii) Inform policies and programmes aimed at improving the quality of life of all Ugandans
Uses of National Population and Housing Censuses
The findings of the 2024 Census will be instrumental in shaping Uganda’s development agenda. They provide a basis for:
a) Planning: Facilitating evidence based National and Local Government planning processes.
b) Resource Allocation: Enabling equitable distribution of resources across programmes and Local Governments.
c) Program Design: Informing interventions in social services such as health, education, infrastructure, and housing, to mention a few.
d) Monitoring Progress: Tracking Uganda’s advancements towards achieving socio-economic transformation as envisioned in Vision 2040, the National Development Plans, as well as regional, continental and global development initiatives.
Key Findings
1. Population Size and Growth: Uganda’s population as of May 2024 was 45,905,417 persons, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 2.9 percent since the last Census in 2014.
2. Demographic Composition: A half of the population is under the age of 18. Five in every one hundred persons are aged 60 and above.
3. Housing and Living Conditions:
i) Eight in ten (81.1%) households have access to improved water sources
ii) Slightly over a half (53.4%) of households have access to electricity (25.3% from grid and 28.1% from solar).
4. Literacy: Seventy four percent of persons aged 10 and above were able to read and write meaningfully in any language.
5. Well-being and Health:
i) One third (33.1%) of the households were in subsistence economy.
ii) Twelve percent of persons aged 10 and above had experienced at least some form of probable general psychological distress.
6. Labour Force (15 years and above):
i) The working age group was 25,494,490 persons (57.4% of the population).
ii) The unemployment rate was 12.3 percent.
iii) The share of Youth (15-24 years) Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) was 4,001,528 persons (42.6%)
Kind of Data
Census/enumeration data [cen]
Unit of Analysis
The units of analysis for the NPHC 2024 include;
- Individuals
- Households
- Housing
- Individuals
- Households
- Housing
Version
Version Description
- v1.2: Edited data, second version, for internal use only.
Version Date
2024-12-31
Scope
Notes
The scope of the National Population and Hosuing Census includes:
- HOUSEHOLD: Population characteristics, household and housing characteristics, education and literacy, information and communication technology, health, fertility, mortality, migration and forced displacements, labour force, government programmes, subsistence economy and household welfare, access to and use of financial services, household waste management, disability, children characteristics, adults and youth characteristics, older persons characteristics, agriculture and food security .
-INSTITUTION: Characteristics of institution members.
- HOUSEHOLD: Population characteristics, household and housing characteristics, education and literacy, information and communication technology, health, fertility, mortality, migration and forced displacements, labour force, government programmes, subsistence economy and household welfare, access to and use of financial services, household waste management, disability, children characteristics, adults and youth characteristics, older persons characteristics, agriculture and food security .
-INSTITUTION: Characteristics of institution members.
Topics
| Topic | Vocabulary |
|---|---|
| Agriculture & Rural Development | World Bank |
| Education | World Bank |
| Energy & Mining | World Bank |
| Environment | World Bank |
| Health | World Bank |
| Infrastructure | World Bank |
| Public Sector | World Bank |
Keywords
| Keyword |
|---|
| Agriculture & Rural Development |
| Education |
| Energy & Mining |
| Environment |
| Health |
| Infrastructure |
| Public Sector |
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
National coverage
Universe
The census was done on a de facto basis i.e. every person was enumerated where he/she spent the Census Reference Night of 9th May 2024.
Producers and sponsors
Primary investigators
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) | Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development |
Producers
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| United Nations Economic Commission for Africa - Africa Centre for Statistics | United Nations | Technical assistance in preparation for the census |
Funding Agency/Sponsor
| Name | Abbreviation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Government of Uganda | GOU | Funding 98% of the NPHC 2024 |
| United Nations Population Fund | UNFPA | Contributed to the 2% development partners funding of the NPHC 2024 |
| United Nations High Commission for Refugees | UNHCR | Contributed to the 2% development partners funding of the NPHC 2024 |
| United Nations Children's Fund | UNICEF | Contributed to the 2% development partners funding of the NPHC 2024 |
| World Food Programme | WFP | Contributed to the 2% development partners funding of the NPHC 2024 |
| United Nations Development Programme | UNDP | Contributed to the 2% development partners funding of the NPHC 2024 |
Other Identifications/Acknowledgments
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Local Governments | Government of Uganda | Undertaking the census in their respective jurisdictions |
| Civil Society Organisations | Civil Society | |
| Academia | Academia | Participation in data collection |
| Media | Media | Publicity of the census |
| National Census Committee | Government of Uganda | |
| National Census Steering Comnittee | Government of Uganda | |
| Board Census Committee | UBOS Board of Directors | |
| Census Management Team | UBOS | |
| City/District Census Committees | ||
| UBOS Staff | UBOS | |
| Enumerators |
Data Collection
Dates of Data Collection
| Start | End |
|---|---|
| 2024-05-10 | 2024-05-19 |
Data Collection Mode
Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]
Data Collection Notes
1. The Census Reference Night was the night of 9th May 2024. The enumeration was done on a de facto basis i.e. every person was enumerated where he/she spent the Census Reference Night.
2. Identification of the enumeration areas using digital maps was based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) location.
3. The enumeration started on 10th May and continued to 19th May 2024. However, in some areas of Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area and some districts that started late, an extra seven (7) days (20th – 26th May) were added to complete the enumeration exercise.
4. The enumeration process was a door-to-door exercise, using tablets loaded with the Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) application. The field management processes, including monitoring of data, field staff performance and other quality control processes were also automated.
5. Access to the enumeration application was by use of login credentials generated through the e-recruitment system.
6. Trained enumerators moved from door-to-door within the assigned parish/ward and administered the questionnaire to the Head of household or any other knowledgeable household member. The enumerators also visited the respective institutions and accommodation facilities within the parish/ward while enumerating the population.
7. Special arrangements were made to enumerate the institution and floating populations, as well as guests in accommodation facilities. The floating population was enumerated on the night of 9th May 2024.
8. Phone numbers of selected Census staff were circulated to all Higher Local Governments to provide quick solutions to various problems arising at the field level during data collection and to ensure direct interaction between Bureau staff and the public.
9. Supervision areas for IT and Data Management staff were created. UBOS deployed IT staff to manage the sub Regions by supporting all the CCRs and District/City/Special area staff.
10. During enumeration, upon completion of an interview, the enumerators would immediately send data directly (synchronize) to the server, from their tablets. The data was downloaded daily for all questionnaires. A Network Operations Centre (NOC), referred to as a situation room, was set up for real-time monitoring of the progress on data collection, and to monitor the daily spatial coverage. This played a significant role in ensuring data quality and coverage. The use of digital equipment through which each enumerator synchronized data straight to the head office, eliminated the data entry and preliminary editing processes, and facilitated timely compilation of the preliminary results.
2. Identification of the enumeration areas using digital maps was based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) location.
3. The enumeration started on 10th May and continued to 19th May 2024. However, in some areas of Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area and some districts that started late, an extra seven (7) days (20th – 26th May) were added to complete the enumeration exercise.
4. The enumeration process was a door-to-door exercise, using tablets loaded with the Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) application. The field management processes, including monitoring of data, field staff performance and other quality control processes were also automated.
5. Access to the enumeration application was by use of login credentials generated through the e-recruitment system.
6. Trained enumerators moved from door-to-door within the assigned parish/ward and administered the questionnaire to the Head of household or any other knowledgeable household member. The enumerators also visited the respective institutions and accommodation facilities within the parish/ward while enumerating the population.
7. Special arrangements were made to enumerate the institution and floating populations, as well as guests in accommodation facilities. The floating population was enumerated on the night of 9th May 2024.
8. Phone numbers of selected Census staff were circulated to all Higher Local Governments to provide quick solutions to various problems arising at the field level during data collection and to ensure direct interaction between Bureau staff and the public.
9. Supervision areas for IT and Data Management staff were created. UBOS deployed IT staff to manage the sub Regions by supporting all the CCRs and District/City/Special area staff.
10. During enumeration, upon completion of an interview, the enumerators would immediately send data directly (synchronize) to the server, from their tablets. The data was downloaded daily for all questionnaires. A Network Operations Centre (NOC), referred to as a situation room, was set up for real-time monitoring of the progress on data collection, and to monitor the daily spatial coverage. This played a significant role in ensuring data quality and coverage. The use of digital equipment through which each enumerator synchronized data straight to the head office, eliminated the data entry and preliminary editing processes, and facilitated timely compilation of the preliminary results.
Data Collectors
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda Bureau of Statistics | UBOS | Government of Uganda |
Questionnaires
Questionnaires
The questionnaires for the National Population and Housing Census 2024 structured and included:
- HOUSEHOLD: Characteristics of household members, housing and household characteristics, agriculture, deaths in the household, and information on physical address.
-INSTITUTION: Characteristics of institution members.
- HOUSEHOLD: Characteristics of household members, housing and household characteristics, agriculture, deaths in the household, and information on physical address.
-INSTITUTION: Characteristics of institution members.
Access policy
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head, Data Capability | Uganda Bureau of Statistics | ubos@ubos.org | www.ubos.org |
Confidentiality
Confidentiality of respondents is guaranteed by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics Act 1998.
Access conditions
Access to the NPHC 2024 dataset is restricted.
Citation requirements
"Uganda Bureau of Statistics, National Population and Housing Census 2024 (NPHC 2024), Version 1.1 of the confidential dataset (December 2024), meta data provided by the Uganda Microdata Archive. https://microdata.ubos.org/".
Access authority
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda Bureau of Statistics | Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development | ubos@ubos.org | www.ubos.org |
Disclaimer and copyrights
Disclaimer
The user of the data acknowledges that the original collector of the data, the authorized distributor of the data, and the relevant funding agency bear no responsibility for use of the data or for interpretations or inferences based upon such uses.
Copyright
(c) 2025, Uganda Bureau of Statistics
Metadata production
DDI Document ID
DDI-UGA-UBOS-NPHC-2024-v01
Producers
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda Bureau of Statistics | UBOS | Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development | Documentation of the NPHC 2024 |
Date of Metadata Production
2025-01-07
DDI Document version
Version 1.0 (January 2025). This version is the first documentation of the NPHC 2024.