Kampala, 31 October: Ugandas population could be the highest in East Africa at 103 million people by 2050 if control measures are not taken.
The Director of the Population Secretariat, Dr Jotham Musinguzi, has said the projected increase in population requires proper planning by the government.
– We must plan services for an increased population if we are to get quality population. This calls for increased investment and funding, Musinguzi said.
He was on October 24 presenting a paper on achieving the millennium development goals (MDGs) in relation to population trends at the 4th National Health Assembly in Kampala.
Musinguzi said estimates indicate that Ugandas population will almost double by 2025 to 54,8 million and eventually 103 million people by 2050.
In comparison with Kenya and Tanzania respectively, Musinguzi said their population could reach 76 million and 88 million people respectively by the same year.
It is estimated that Rwanda and Burundi will by the same year (2050) have the lowest population sizes at 23 million and 20 million people respectively.
Ugandas population growth is rated amongst the fast-growing at a rate of 3,2 per cent annually.
– The high population growth rate experienced in the country partly depends on the high fertility rate and low contraceptive rate (ringe brug af forebyggende midler), which is only 23 per cent, Musinguzi said.
According to the 2006 State of Uganda Population Report released in September, maternal mortality has remained high, at 500 deaths per 100.000 live births over the last decade. The report says the majority of maternal deaths occur outside hospitals, indicating delays in seeking medical care.
It adds that many women deliver (føder) without accessing quality healthcare services.
According to the World Health Organisation, about 250.000 mothers die every year in Africa as a result of complications due to pregnancy and childbirth.
Musinguzi said the high level of poverty in Uganda is posing big challenges to achieving the millennium development goals like reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and halting the spread of HIV/Aids by 2015.
Kilde: The Monitor, Kampala og The Push Journal
