back to top
HomeNational NewsUBOS: Increase in Households Living in Owner-Occupied Units in 2024

UBOS: Increase in Households Living in Owner-Occupied Units in 2024

Published on

- Advertisement -spot_img

The aftermath of the release of the 2024 Nation Census report was dominated by discussions about the errors in the ethnic data errors. This effectively hampered the in-depth analysis of the report. Little attention from academics, scholars and the media was paid to the depth of data that this report was providing.

The data the report holds shows significant changes in the Ugandan society’s standard of living and should be studied and used for the greater good of the country. The 2024 census report, when carefully analysed, is a very good tool for planning at both national and local levels.

The Census report has data on various categories, which include; Households and household characteristics, agriculture, education and literacy, subsistence economy, food security, and Information and Communication technologies, among others. These are substantial areas of great interest whose data was compiled during the census and key markers of the growth of the country and economy. It is useful for comparative purposes of where we have been and where we are going as a nation.

Housing remains “a basic human right, essential for the well-being of all mankind,” and in Uganda, the improved numbers in this category have a profound impact on the health, welfare, and economic productivity of the local citizens in line with SDG Goal 11, which emphasises “the importance of ensuring access to safe, affordable, and adequate housing.”

The housing sector in Uganda has undergone remarkable change, growing its contribution to the country’s GDP to an average of 5-7%. this also impacts sector components such as construction material, labour and spending on housing services such as rents, rental tax, and utilities paid by the users. The table below shows several characteristics crucial in analyzing the share of both investment and consumption of utility services which contribute to the annual GDP accounts of the country.

Figure 1: A caption of some of the statistics on the changes in Household characteristics. Source: Census 2024 report (C)

The majority of Ugandans have been living in huts across the country but this is gradually changing to iron-sheet roofed units and the adoption of essential services such as  electricity, piped water and improved road services.

It has not been an easy journey but with a safe and secure environment , Ugandans are motivated to build homes, as places of comfort and security. It has taken root in all regions of the country including Karamoja with a view that a permanent shelter reinforces the idea that other services will be derived from a place where one lays a foundation, more than a roof over a citizens head.

Other factors get resolved and upgraded alongside improved  housing.  Improved sanitation is  crucial to the health of the population. This includes issues such as; sources of drinking water , types of toilet facilities by the households, and solid waste disposal.

Accordingly, the National Census 2024  81% of households in Uganda had access to improved water sources for drinking while 19% are still accessing their water from  unsafe water sources. However, the report notes that one of the key barriers to access to safe water is the long distances to the sources. Below is a map showing the proportion of homes within one KM from the safe water source by sub regions.

Figure 2: Map showing households with access to safe water within 1KM by sub-region

The improved status in housing and housing characteristics calls for an intentional government intervention in one way or another. Most importantly with the current census results, the government has got to help the citizens  to access affordable housing through the “provision of subsidies, low-interest loans and tax credits to encourage more home ownership.” The government must also take policy initiatives that bring down the cost of construction.

With almost 20% of Ugandans relying on poor water sources, there is need for more focus to be put on improving access to clean water and proper sanitation across the country as this will inadvertently impact on the health situation in most of the affected areas such as Karamoja where open defecation is still in practice.

With improved home ownership, the reliance on wood fuel for cooking which poses a health risk will reduce as many of the home owners are more likely to adopt clean and renewable energy sources such as solar and biogas. The government is also currently piloting a project on access to cheap gas as well as electricity access through the Energy Access Scale-up Program (EASP).

These two should be cases studies on how to upscale access to clean cooking energy, going a long way in addressing both health concerns of the country’s citizens but also conserving the environment.  are poised to achieve positive awareness in terms of health benefits of using clean and affordable energy. The 2024 National Census report should be analyzed by policy analysts and technocrats as a foundation for relevant and holistic planning for the country.

Andrew Kiiza, MPM – University of Potsdam.

The writer is a policy analyst majoring in

Related

Regional Stanbic Banks Host Talks On Unlocking EAC Domestic Capital For Infrastructure

Unlocking domestic capital to drive infrastructure development across the East African Community (EAC) is...

Gov’t Hails Stanbic Bank For Revolutionizing the Money Remittances Sector

The Government of Uganda has commended Stanbic Bank for its pioneering efforts in transforming...

Just Deposit and Win Cash: Stanbic Bank Rewards KyaDouble With Supa Dupa Campaign Winners

Stanbic Bank has announced the first batch of winners in its ongoing Kya Double...

Mukono Residents Demand Accountability From Hon. Nsibwa Fred Kagwa Over Theatre Construction Funds At Nakifuma Health Centre III

Mukono residents are demanding accountability from Hon. Nsibwa Fred Kagwa, the Member of Parliament...

More from The Capital Times

Business Boom In Namugongo Ahead Of Martyrs Day

Business has picked up this morning at Namugongo Martyrs shrine according to traders. The...

Minister Kasolo In Hot Soup Over Alleged Orungo Voter Attacks Accused Of Orchestrating Violence Fo Intimidate Opponents in NRM Primaries

A political storm is brewing in Orungo sub-county after shocking allegations emerged linking Uganda’s...

African contemporary singer Liboi pairs up with Kenyan producer Kayrop on new single “twende sote”

NAIROBI - JULY 11, 2025 — African contemporary singer Liboi has teamed up withKenyan...