THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Population & Development

Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty

Volume 10 No.17 July, 2009 July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 1 Contents

Statements on The Occasion of World Population Day 2009 2

Addressing The Global Economic Crisis While Fighting Inequalities 6

Relating Economic Crisis to Health 8

‘Investing In Sexual and Reproductive Health in Times of Economic Crisis’ 10

High Population Growth Rate Undermines Uganda’s Development Goals 12

Where is Population Growing Most Rapidly? 15

The Real Story of Global Population 16

Climate Change Likely to Worsen Poverty Amongst Ugandans 18

Fulfilling Our Promises to Women 23

HIV Prevention and Poverty Reduction 25

Promoting the Health and Development of Young People 27

Cost of Child Index (CCI) as Basis for Population Issues Advocacy 29

Katakwi District Profile 30

2 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 MESSAGE ON WORLD POPULATION DAY 2009 MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR, POPULATION SECRETARIAT

ganda has been observing World Population Day since 1989 and has been using this occasion to Uraise critical awareness, mobilize commitment and support among the country’s leadership in government, civil society, the private sector, donor community, the media and the general public, about the country’s population issues that need their attention.

Every year, key stakeholders and partners in the population programmes get together to plan and map out strategic interventions that will ensure the success of the national celebrations and amplify population issues in the host District. The celebrations for World Population Day 2009, have been planned more deliberately and strategically. Each year, the commemoration focuses on a theme deemed deserving the attention of decision makers to address it in terms of policy decision, programmes, strategies and resource allocation. This year’s theme is even more appropriate in the context of the global economic crisis that has hit economies the world over. It is common knowledge that the fairer sex, the women of this world are bearing the brunt of this global catastrophe the hardest. This is why the global theme for this year’s World Population Day focuses on ‘Investing in Women is a Smart choice.’ In line with this the national theme focuses on “Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty” and the national celebrations are being hosted by Katakwi District.

This year’s national theme is even more important in as far as the financial crisis is threatening to wipe out hard-won progress in improving health and reducing poverty. As the crisis unwinds, it threatens to push 200 million people back into poverty and reverse efforts aimed at improving social welfare and achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Population Secretariat calls upon all stakeholders to use this year’s World Population Day to inform, provoke discussion, and mobilize political and financial support that will translate into policy and programme implementation that will translate into improved livelihoods for the men, women and children in the communities around us. We would also like to use this year’s World Population Day as a platform to raise awareness about poverty issues that are rife in Teso region and sound a call to all stakeholders to join hands to contribute towards improving the plight of our brothers and sisters in Teso region.

World Population Day is an opportunity to take stock of the achievements, we have so far made, towards improving the quality of life and standard of living of our people and to reflect on the challenges that confront each country regarding its population concerns, with a view to addressing them. We call upon the country’s leadership at all levels, policy makers, civil society, the private sector, donor community, the media and the general public to join us in ‘Empowering Communities to overcome the challenges of poverty.’

Happy World Population Day.

Charles Zirarema Ag. Director Population Secretariat

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 3 MESSAGE ON WORLD POPULATION DAY 2009

Statement from Ban Ki Moon UN Secretary -General

n the midst of the worst global economic crisis jobs, to have fewer and healthier children and Iin generations, we must find the most to enjoy safer childbirth. effective ways to continue progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. And investing in women’s health, especially There is no better path than the focus of this reproductive health, can not only save the lives year’s World Population Day: ‘Investing in of half a million mothers, but also unleash an women and girls’. estimated $15 billion in productivity each year. As we commemorate the 15th anniversary of the As budgets tighten, the crisis threatens to wipe International Conference on Population and out hard-won progress in improving health and Development, let us accelerate efforts to reducing poverty. When household incomes achieve universal access to reproductive health decline, girls are more likely to drop out of by 2015. school. When profits decline, women are more likely to lose their employment and sources of On this World Population Day, I call on decision- income. When health systems suffer, women risk makers to protect women’s ability to earn childbirth without life-saving services. Even income, keep their daughters in school, and before the crisis, a mother died every minute obtain reproductive health information and in pregnancy and childbirth, nearly all in services, including voluntary family planning. developing countries where the crisis has pushed Together, let us advance the rights of women women deeper into poverty. and girls, and empower them as highly productive members of society capable of Investing in girls’ education delivers well-known contributing to economic recovery and growth. returns. When girls are educated, they are more There can be no better investment on this day likely to earn higher wages and obtain better or any other.

4 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 MESSAGE ON WORLD POPULATION DAY 2009

Statement from Thoraya Ahmed Obaid Executive Director, UNFPA

oday, as we commemorate World Population And investments in reproductive health are TDay, the global financial and economic crisis cost-effective. An investment in threatens to reverse hard-won gains in education contraceptive services can be recouped four and health in developing countries. Among those times over—and sometimes dramatically more hardest hit are women and girls. This is why the over the long-term—by reducing the need for theme of this year’s World Population Day public spending on health, education and other focuses on investing in women. Even before the social services. crisis, women and girls represented the majority of the world’s poor. Now they are falling deeper It is estimated that family planning alone could into poverty and face increased health risks, reduce the number of maternal deaths by as especially if they are pregnant. much as 40 per cent.

Today, complications of pregnancy and childbirth Our world today is too complex and are leading killers of women in the developing interconnected to see problems in isolation world. And maternal mortality represents the of each other. When a mother dies, when an largest health inequity in the world. This health orphan child does not get the food or gap will only deepen unless we increase social education he needs, when a young girl grows investments, maintain health gains and expand into a life without opportunities, the efforts to save more women’s lives. consequences extend beyond the existence of these individuals. They diminish the society In countries and communities where women as a whole and lessen chances for peace, have access to reproductive health services— prosperity and stability. such as family planning, skilled attendance at birth and emergency obstetric and neonatal UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, care—survival rates are high and maternal and remains committed to supporting countries to newborn deaths are rare. advance women’s empowerment, gender equality and sexual and reproductive health. Access to reproductive health, in particular family planning and maternal health services, Today, on World Population Day, I call on all helps women and girls avoid unwanted or early leaders to make the health and rights of women pregnancy, unsafe abortions, as well as a political and development priority. Investing pregnancy related disabilities. This means that in women and girls will set the stage not only women stay healthier, are more productive, and for economic recovery, but also for long-term have more opportunities for education, training economic growth that reduces inequity and and employment, which, in turn, benefits entire poverty. There is no smarter investment in families, communities and nations. troubled times.

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 5 Addressing the global economic crisis while fighting inequalities

Health Ministers’ and It is also true that the fall in “Who will suffer most from the A Experts meeting in value of many currencies economic crisis? Who suffers Oslo, Norway, earlier this across Europe is raising the year, called for viable price of health-related the most in a war? Who will solutions to the economic commodities, such as suffer most from climate crisis, which do not pharmaceuticals and medical change? The answer is always threaten health devices. Some countries for the same. It is the poor and objectives, despite example, report disadvantaged in countries, and budgetary constraints. It is pharmaceutical price poor and disadvantaged true that the increases of up to 30%. countries. consequences of the The economic crisis has broad global economic crisis can Faced with rising prices, be felt at several levels. unemployment and implications for the long-term Evidence that tax insecurity, people may make health of people all over the revenues are lower than changes to how they live that world. Governments have less expected is common in could damage their health. to spend, and people could be virtually all countries and With less to spend, consumers pushed into taking less care of some countries (Europe) may favour cheaper foods their health. have announced budget both high in fat and sugar and revisions. poor in nutrients. The food

6 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 situation is particularly critical burden of disease is changing. meeting discussed how the for children, young people, and economic crisis will affect pregnant and breastfeeding The number of people with health and social protection women. Evidence from chronic diseases is rapidly in their countries. They previous crises suggests that increasing. To meet the identified measures to alcohol and drug use, as well health needs of our respond to the crisis and as mental illness, could populations, we must adjust promote health, as well as increase. to these changes. We must reduce poverty and remind ourselves of the inequalities. “The economic crisis has broad importance of primary health implications for the long-term care as a key to ensuring “While addressing health health of people all over the universal access to affordable inequalities in their world. Governments have less health services”, says “Health countries, governments to spend, and people could be has to be fully taken into should protect official pushed into taking less care of account in all areas of development assistance and their health. Yet making the government decision-making. support new and innovative right decisions now – sources of funding. The prioritizing health, sharing Investing in health is good for meeting was hosted by the information, reducing the cost social stability and for the Norwegian Ministry of Health of medicines, expanding economy. Greater focus on and Care Services and the vulnerable groups’ access to reducing poverty and Norwegian Directorate of services – will help to address improving access to primary Health, and organized by the health inequalities. health care services is WHO Regional Office for needed”, she adds. Europe. Bjarne Håkon Hanssen, Minister Participants at the Oslo of Health and Care Services, Norway says, “The economic crisis comes at a time when the world is confronting major demographic, energy and environmental challenges. We are living through a time of change: a time when populations in Europe are ageing, and a time when the

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 7 Relating Economic crisis to Health Quotes from world leaders

“The equation between crisis and opportunity is fast becoming the cliché of the moment. Nevertheless, I would argue that a truly global approach to economic recovery, which puts people’s lives and livelihoods at its centre, will mean that we could emerge with systems that are stronger, more efficient and more equitable than those that are currently under such serious threat.”

Margaret Chan, Director-General, World Health Organization

“As national budgets come under threat, we must recognize that spending on health is an investment not an expense. While we act in our own countries, we must also maintain our commitments in developing countries. The challenge in poor countries is the same as in Europe: to “The crisis began as a financial crisis, which provide health care and social services to the has moved to the real economy, the political most needy. We need more money for health world and now to real life. As the architecture and more health for our money.” of international cooperation is redefined, the Jens Stoltenberg, links between health, poverty, development Prime Minister of Norway and security call for health to break out of its box. Prime ministers, foreign ministers, “Who will suffer most from the economic finance ministers – we are all in a sense crisis? Who suffers the most in a war? Who will health ministers.” suffer most from climate change? The answer Jonas Gahr Støre, is always the same. It is the poor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Norway disadvantaged in countries, and poor and disadvantaged countries. As the G20 meets in What we should look for from the G20 is long- London, what about the G193? When will term solutions for the people on this planet. other countries be involved in the decision- The disaster facing rich countries is very real. making? Our focus must be on empowering But this is dwarfed by the catastrophe facing individuals, societies and even countries.” poor countries. The stimulus packages put

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, together for the rich world must be matched Director of the International Institute for Society by support to the developing world so that we and Health University College London, United Kingdom

8 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 “Any spending decision has an opportunity cost. Now we need to prioritize investments to address inequalities. But does the crisis mean there will at last be a focus on patient outcomes?”

Alan Maynard, Professor of Health Economics, University of York, United Kingdom

“The health care system in Serbia is an integral part of the economy. It improves the health and quality of life of about 7.5 million people and provides 140, 000 jobs. Faced with the economic crisis, one of our key coping strategies is to protect investment in health for the future, through the provision of a basic health package.”

Professor Tomica Milosavljevi, can achieve the Millennium Development Minister of Health, Serbia Goals.”

Mary Robinson, President, Realizing Rights “Poverty affects health and health affects Ethical Globalization Initiative poverty. The crisis calls for policies that better target those in greater relative need. “We must develop different, innovative From an efficiency standpoint, for example, sources of funding for health and we should invest in children. In health care in development. Without further efforts to fill developed countries, we need to rebalance the funding gap, we will not meet the the mix between social spending and private Millennium Development Goals. UNITAID is voluntary payments. In less developed launching an initiative so people can countries, we must move away from direct contribute one or two dollars when purchasing out-of-pocket payments to providers towards flights on the internet. All you have to do is selective publicly financed health click and this will contribute to a big, programmes.” ambitious goal.” Guillem Lopez-Casasnovas, Dr Philippe Douste-Blazy, Professor in Economics, Pompeu Fabra University Chair of the Executive Board of UNITAID Spain

Further information is available on WHO Regional Office web site.

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 9 ‘Investing in sexual and reproductive health in times of economic crisis’

n the International The year 2009 marks the 15th Sub-Saharan Africa has I Conference on Population anniversary of the ICPD experienced an impressive 5 and Development Programme Programme of Action, followed percent annual economic of Action (ICPD PoA) in 1994, by the 10th anniversary of the growth since the late 1990s, 179 nations committed MDGs in 2010. And still, outpacing the world average. themselves to among others maternal mortality is the most But other aspects of the the goals to reduce maternal dramatic indicator of global region’s development are mortality and to ensure health inequality, with lagging. The region is behind universal access to dramatic figures especially in on many of the Millennium reproductive health care, Sub-Saharan Africa and many of Development Goals (MDGs), a including family planning, the countries in the Asian- set of goals agreed upon by assisted childbirth and Pacific Region. Although world leaders at a UN summit approximately 204 Million in 2000 to reduce poverty, prevention of sexually women worldwide have an improve health, and foster transmitted infections unmet need for family planning economic development. (including HIV/AIDS) by the services, contraceptive year 2015. All these goals were prevalence rates are low in Sub-Saharan Africa is especially later included in the targets many developing countries and deficient in areas of and indicators of the access to male and even more reproductive health crucial for Millennium Development Goals so to female condoms is meeting MDGs for child and (MDGs), mainly MDG 5: improve difficult and often maternal health. Maternal Health. unaffordable.

10 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 The unprecedented financial In a time of global financial z Invest in maternal health crisis which manifested itself difficulty, donor countries may so that women obtain the at the end of 2008 and which be tempted to avoid fulfilling care they require during is compounded by the food-fuel their financial commitments. delivery. Reducing maternal crises and climate change will That would be a grave error. mortality calls for most probably worsen the These programmes are highly government leadership, situation in the near future. cost effective. A relatively more trained health Although – and unlike earlier modest investment now will providers, and community financial crises in the 1980s and result in large future savings. involvement. 1990s – the current economic Studies show that each dollar z Halt the spread of HIV/AIDS crisis originated in the invested in contraceptive by addressing the range of services saves between social and economic industrialized world, as it US$1.70 and US$4.00 in factors that contribute to grows and deepens the impacts expenditures on antenatal, the epidemic. At the same are starting to be felt in maternal and newborn health time, continued developing countries, and it care. commitment to making will be the poor and most treatment available will vulnerable populations – among Looking Towards the Future mitigate the negative these women and children – effects of the epidemic on who will be hardest hit. As 2015 approaches—the target families and communities. date for achieving the MDGs— z Implement effective In many developing countries, much work remains to be done policies that support high fuel and food prices have in all areas of reproductive youth’s reproductive already imposed a heavy health, especially in reducing health needs by increasing economic burden and have maternal mortality and slowing access to reproductive increased the incidence of the spread of HIV/AIDS. Many health services and HIV poverty and vulnerability. A countries are making advances prevention programs, further slow or negative growth in reaching the targets; yet abandoning female genital is likely to cut into government throughout sub-Saharan Africa, mutilation/cutting, and revenue and expenditures on there are still great needs and supporting efforts to reduce social services, including opportunities to do more. early marriage and maternal health and sexual childbearing. reproductive health (SRH). Policymakers and program z Continued support from Increasing prices of drugs and managers must: governments and donors supplies may lead to and z Re-energize family can aid efforts to improve increase in cost of care and planning programs to the reproductive health of insurances, and a shortage in ensure a wide range of women in sub-Saharan drugs and supplies in contraceptive choices for Africa. The variation across reproductive health (RH) all women and couples to and within regions facilities. At the household help address the unmet demonstrates that effective level, less money available need for services. Family policies and high-quality combined with high and/or planning can improve the programs can make a rising food and fuel prices may health of mothers and difference. children, reduce the spread further cut expenditures on of HIV/AIDS, and reduce By Diana Nambatya women’s health in general and Associate Programme Officer family sizes. Partners in Population and Development SRH in particular. Africa Regional Office.

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 11 High Population Growth Rate Undermines Uganda’s In Development Goals Uganda,

ganda’s population growth rate of 3.2 per Ucent is one of the highest in the world, and over 70% is unsustainable as it strains the country’s Effects of revenue and puts a lot of pressure on of the total government’s ability to provide social services high such as Health, Education, housing, food, employment, water and sanitation, thus population population undermining Uganda’s economic gains. It also growth are puts pressure on land and other natural of 30 resources, thus compromising the environment already as increased number of human beings look for million means of livelihood. being felt in Indeed effects of high population growth are people is Uganda. already being felt in Uganda. They are partly to blame for shortage of health services, unemploy- not in They are ment, high prices for food stuff, inadequate classrooms and inadequate resources for partly to effective and efficient social service delivery, productive blame for to mention but a few. employment shortage of High population growth rate has also not spared households where large families imply more hence health mouths to feed and more people to provide for in terms of several basic needs. This has left services, heads of households helpless and unable to increasing adequately cater for their families. Implications unemploy- of large family size at household level include; dependency high expenditure on health, education, food, ment, high housing and sanitation and high demand for land and fuel wood. and prices for All these challenges keep members of the poverty. food stuff, household in perpetual poverty. In short, a rapid increase in human numbers inadequate creates; classrooms z High demand for health services z High demand for education services z Pressure on environment such as water, forests, land etc.

12 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 z High demand for food ™ Polygamy In the case of Uganda z High demand for housing ™ Cultural preferences for therefore, the argument that and sanitation boys a large population is good does z High demand for energy ™ Uncertainty on life not hold water unless efforts which in turn force people expectancy are put in place to turn this to encroach on forests and ™ Children as life insurance in large population into an asset woodlands. old age rather than a burden which it ™ Early marriages is today. This situation is projected to ™ Source of Labour get even worse in future if ™ Limited access to RH Government response to practical measures are not put services and information issues of population growth in place to address the current ™ Poverty in relation to development challenges. ™ Societal pressures The Government of Uganda has Push Factors Unproductive Population put in place a Population Secretariat under the Ministry The main factor behind this It has been argued by some of Finance, Planning and rapid increase in human schools of thought that a large Economic Development, whose numbers is the high fertility of population is good for a country main mission is to improve the Ugandan women. A woman in because it creates demand and quality of life of the people of Uganda produces on average a provides a big market for Uganda by influencing total of 7 children during her various products. However this government policies and reproductive life of 15 to 49 may not apply to Uganda due programmes to address years. By age 15-19 about 26% to the following reasons. population trends and of the girls are either pregnant patterns. or already have a child. In Uganda over 70% of the total Research findings indicate that population of 30 million people The Secretariat is mandated to most of the pregnancies in is not in productive formulate and review the Uganda are unwanted or employment hence increasing National Population Policy and unintended. Yet contraceptive dependency and poverty. ensure programme coherence, use is still at only 24%, although About 68 percent of the including aligning it with unmet need is at 41%. population is engaged in appropriate national policies subsistence farming(producing and international instruments This means that there is a lot for only their stomarchs) while and agreements. that needs to be done since 56% is under 18 years of age, women who would like to they are either in school or are The government has in addition regulate their births are not just redundant, or are engaged approved a National Population using family planning methods. in subsistence activities and Policy to guide the country in Reasons for not using range yet will soon get into child its social transformation and from limited access to services, bearing age and are ready to sustainable development to lack of information, fuel the population growth efforts. unexplained side effects, even further. In addition, 4.6% rumours and misconceptions. of the population are aged 60 Challenges In addition, Ugandans generally years or above. One can desire large families for old age conclude from this that over 60 Although, the Government of security and pride. percent of Uganda’s population Uganda has responded if not more, is either children positively to the population Other drivers of high fertility or elderly, or unemployed who issues by putting in place include; are not contributing institutions to address ™ Households with lower meaningfully to national population issues, there are education development.

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 13 still many challenges regarding would be making and Uganda regarding high fertility and leadership support and is no exception. high population growth rate. consensus on the population z Lack of a comprehensive trends and patterns. A lot needs to be done to make information and Ugandans including the leaders communication campaign Statements and comments and decision makers at all strategy at grassroot level to from leaders still reflect levels to understand the dispel rumours and inadequate or lack of support, implications of a rapidly misconceptions and change commitment to and growing population on the attitudes and behavior appreciation of population socio-economic well being of among the populace, thus issues. These send mixed our people and to embrace the influencing them to embrace signals to the masses and approaches that are required good practices. influence the perceptions of to address these issues with z Provision of Reproductive those leaders below them and policies, programmes, health services for men as an the general public. The need strategies and mobilizing and entry point to getting them to build consensus and to allocating resources.. involved in reproductive strengthen leadership support decisions with their partners. and commitment for Action Points z Lack of supportive policies to population issues cannot be implement population and overemphasized. The areas that need policy development programmes in action are many and multi- all sectors at national, Population issues are not being sectoral but focus mainly on district and lower levels. accorded the attention and prioritizing population issues in support they deserve as all sectors. The following As the above facts indicate, development matters and yet should also be addressed: population should be at the they are the root cause of center of all the planning at development challenges the z Inadequate resources- whatever level and this should country is facing. It is a known human, technical and be emphasized in all sectors. fact that population impacts on financial especially in the Efforts should be made to turn economic and development area of Reproductive Health. Uganda’s population into an plans of a country. A high z Contradictory messages from asset that can speed up social population growth rate leaders at various levels transformation and sustainable undermines economic and development. social achievements a country

Formal education that does not relate to the practical realities in which people find themselves is not helpful. People need to be empowered to overcome the challenges they face in their day to day lives. Decision makers therefore should do all it takes to come up with strategies that can turn our population into an engine of development that can sustain itself.

By Hannington Burunde Head, Information and Communication Provision of male-friendly reproductive health services is very important. Population Secretariat

14 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 Where is Population Growing Most Rapidly?

he total fertility rate in least developed Rapid population growth is also occurring in Tcountries averages 4.6 births per some South Asian countries. Afghanistan’s woman, as opposed to 1.6 in more population has more than tripled since 1950 developed regions. For the period 2005- and is currently projected to nearly triple 2010, thirty developing countries have again—to 79.4 million—by 2050. Similarly, birth rates greater than five children per Pakistan’s population has quadrupled since woman. Niger, with an average of more than 1950 and is projected to grow to nearly 292.2 7 births per woman, has the highest fertility million by 2050. rate in the world. Uganda is a close second behind Niger at an average of 6.7 children Population growth in sub-Saharan Africa and per woman. By contrast, Belarus has one western Asia is occurring primarily in urban of the lowest fertility rates at 1.20 births areas, where most new residential growth is per woman. in slums and other areas that typically lack adequate housing, sanitation, and access to Kenya, Niger, Tanzania, and Uganda, among clean water. In 2007, for the first time in others, have all more than quintupled in history, the majority of the world’s population population since 1950. The two largest was projected to live in urban areas. While countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria and growth in some rural parts is being offset by Ethiopia, have each more than quadrupled migration to cities, many rural areas also in population since 1950. All of these continue to gain population due to continued countries continue to grow at rapid rates, high fertility. some doubling in as little as 25 years. Over to you policy makers.

Kenya, Niger, Tanzania, and Uganda, among others, have all more than quintupled in population since 1950.

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 15 The Real Story of Global Population Fewer or More?

he phrase “population crisis” once Population Growth in More and Less Developed Regions: Medium Projections Troused fears of uncontrollable growth in human numbers. However, now that many societies have improved women’s status and increased access to family planning, some analysts argue that if there is a population crisis it is because women are having too few children—a so- called “birth dearth.” A quick look at the demographic reality shows that the era of population growth is far from over—and high fertility rates are still prevalent in many developing countries.

Distinct Demographic Trends Some countries, most of them wealthy European nations, are experiencing very low fertility rates, that could eventually lead to population decline. By The proportion of growth in the less contrast, the majority of the world’s developed regions, particularly in sub- population lives in countries whose high birthrates all but guarantee population growth Saharan Africa, has been much greater for decades to come. The majority of the than the historical growth rates world’s least developed countries are facing experienced in the more developed burgeoning youth populations and rapid, regions. Moreover, the expected unsustainable population growth rates. growth in the less developed regions Projected population growth in least is expected to greatly exceed the developed countries greatly exceeds expected moderate declines in the projected decline in the more developed more developed regions. regions. Developed countries such as the Russian Federation, Romania, Belarus, Ukraine and Bulgaria are projected to experience the most population decline, decreasing by 24 to World Population Still Growing Rapidly 35 percent by 2050. In contrast, developing countries such as Afghanistan, the Democratic Global population is currently increasing at Republic of the Congo, Liberia, and Uganda an annual rate of about 76 million people. are all projected to grow by around 200 Under the United Nations most commonly percent or greater by the year 2050. Niger is cited “medium” demographic projection, projected to grow by almost 275 percent. population is expected to reach 9.2 billion by

2050—an increase of 2.5 billion people. If

16 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 fertility were to remain constant at the levels undermine countries’ stability, governance, estimated for 2000-2005, the population of and economic development. For example, 86 less developed regions would increase to 10.6 percent of all civil conflicts from 1970-1999 billion instead of the 7.9 billion projected by occurred in very youthful countries. Similarly, assuming that fertility declines. Assuming nearly 90 percent of countries with very constant fertility as such, world population is young populations had autocratic or weak then estimated to be 11.8 billion in 2050. democratic governments at the end of the Today, more than 6 billion of the world’s 6.7 20th century. billion people live in countries that are still growing. Although growth rates will decline Rapid population growth in poor and overall, the vast majority of the world’s developing countries increases the burden on people will still live in countries with growing already strained financial and natural populations in 2050. Indeed, because of the resources, thereby aggravating efforts to large proportion of young people of provide food, clean water, and basic health reproductive age in the world today, care for their citizens. The 2006 Millennium population will continue to grow even if Development Goals Report found that “more fertility rates are lower than in previous people are going hungry in the developing generations. world, even though the actual rates of hunger have declined”. For example, in sub-Saharan One-half of the world’s population is under Africa the number of chronically hungry the age of 30. In sub-Saharan Africa, half of people has skyrocketed from 88 million in the population is under age 20. 1970 to more than 200 million today.

Projected Population Growth or Decline, 2005-2050 Widely spaced births and smaller (UN Medium Projection) family size allows families and governments to invest more in each child—helping to ensure access to education and health care. Over time, this raises household and government savings, improves productivity, and stimulates economic growth. Economists credit declining fertility, from the mid-1960s to the early 1990s, as a major contributor to sustained Every major world region is expected to experience population economic growth among the Asian growth through the middle of this century with the exception Tigers—South Korea, Taiwan, of Europe, which will decline slightly. Africa and Asia are Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, expected to grow dramatically, adding an estimated 2.3 billion Malaysia and the former Hong Kong people to the world’s population. Territory.

Source: United Nations Population Division. 2007. World Population Prospects: Planned families and spaced births The 2006 Revision. New York: United Nations. are healthier for women and their children. Access to family planning services could prevent nearly a third of the What are the benefits of slower 500,000 annual maternal deaths related to population growth? pregnancy in developing countries. Poor reproductive health conditions account for Rapid population growth, which correlates one-third of the disease burden among closely with young populations, can women of reproductive age worldwide.

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 17 Climate change likely to worsen poverty amongst Ugandans

“Six times as many Ugandans are trying to survive on the fewer natural resources than there were 60 years ago. The pressure on land, water, forests and biological resources has dramatically increased to meet the needs of the growing population” –an extract from the 2008 National State of Environment Report.

18 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 ne important aspect in research noted that the Othe above factual population structure and bombshell to take note of is migration patterns driven by that over the last six decades, social and political factors are Uganda’s fast growing closely linked to inequality and population has not left the poverty, and these conditions country’s environment the also influence the environment same. in important ways. Poverty and inequality reinforce the high Although this article is fertility rates and displace not intended to cause people with limited rights apprehension among and opportunities to marginal Ugandans, the forecast as far land. as the country’s ever increasing population with regard to the “In ecology, all living and (non A fast country’s environmental living things) are inter linked, quality does not augur well. whether by strong bonds or growing With a population growth rate weak links. Whatever we do, of 3.2 per cent which currently we must understand that we population, translates into 1.2 million will one day pay for it. Our babies added every year, the population is ever increasing particularly United Nations says Uganda has but the size of the country will the third fastest growing never change. We will keep if it is not population in the world. packing ourselves in this entity planned for, According to the Uganda called Uganda,” Prof. E.N Bureau of Statistics, an average Sabiiti from Makerere acts as a key Ugandan woman gives birth to University’s Faculty of at least six children in her Agriculture said during the catalyst and reproductive life time. recent launch of the State of Environment Report in a multiplier Next year, the country’s Kampala. population will be of poverty approximately 32 million and According to the report by 2015, our number will surge launched on June 17, 2009 by and also to 38 million. Ten years later the National Environmental (2025), there will be at least Management Authority (NEMA), contributes 54 million Ugandans within the the rapid population growth, country’s borders and all coupled with the freehold to factors remaining constant; we tenancy land policy has environmental will hit the 100 million mark by subjected rural Uganda to land 2050. fragmentation. And due to degradation. increased intensity of land use The South African Department to maintain income levels, of Environment Affairs and individuals’ incomes and Tourism (DEAT) in a 2006 livelihoods have subsequently

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 19 Signs of rapid environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources.

been affected due to reduced natural resources. For 1.5 acres in the North and 1.1 farm yields. instance, on the ever vital but acres in the West of the inelastic resource that land is, country. “Individuals and communities the report painted a grim It has been suggested that have as a result been forced picture for the country. Uganda available land for agriculture to encroach on forests, currently has about 7.2 million will run out in most parts of wetlands, river banks, lake hectares of arable land under Uganda by around 2022, and shores and game reserves crop agriculture which is less the land available in eastern creating undesired and than 50 per cent of the arable Uganda (around the Mt. Elgon unsustainable land use patterns land. region) is expected to run out that negatively affect the by next year. Predictably, the environment and natural This was further amplified by rapid decline in the available resource base,” the report Dr Henry Aryamanya Mugisha, land resource is attributed to reads in part. NEMA’s Executive Director at the very high population the launch of the 2008 report. growth rate. The 2006/07 Uganda State of Mugisha noted that the amount Environment Report also noted of land available per person has Clearly, the country’s rapid that the country’s rapidly significantly reduced and now population growth rate is one growing population has a direct stands at 0.9 acres in central of the key factors that has negative impact on the nation’s Uganda, 0.5 acres in the East, contributed to environmental

20 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 Climate change has increased the number of people experiencing poverty and hunger. degradation and depletion of climate change because their houses and swept away bridges natural resources especially adaptation measures and early while crops in the gardens under conditions of poverty. A warning mechanisms are decomposed. It is estimated fast growing population, inadequate, if not non- that up to 300,000 people were particularly if it is not planned existent. displaced in the Teso sub for, acts as a key catalyst and region. Over 10,000 villages a multiplier of poverty and this Until recently, the bimodal suffered from the floods that further leads to environmental climatic seasons across Uganda resulted from a prolonged rain degradation. had been relatively stable and spell, the worst in a decade predictable, to the benefit of across eastern and northern Over the last few years, agriculture. Today the seasons Uganda. extreme climatic events have are becoming unreliable with led to natural disasters like rain being less useful due to its By the time the floods drought and floods which distribution and impact. In subsided, the cost of the directly affect the 2007, Uganda got her first damage caused in the districts environment and people. serious dose of what climate of Amuria, Katakwi, Bukedea, Climate scientists are now change has in store for her. Kaberamaido, Kumi and Soroti warning that developing had risen to about Ushs 120 countries like Uganda shall Floods in Teso displaced a big billion. Two years down the have the highest spells of number of people, destroyed road, the effects of that deluge

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 21 are still being felt. The people limited resources. Many in that sub region have never countries in Africa are recovered and famine is said constrained from meeting their to be looming unless swift national poverty reduction intervention is mustered. This targets and pursuing may worsen the poverty levels Millennium Development already existent in this sub Goals,” she said. region. Now policy makers are saying Poverty and climate change are climate change cannot be intrinsically linked and one of treated solely as an the two can not be tackled environmental issue but without addressing the other. needs to be seen as integral It is clear that the poor are to growth and development increasingly becoming the most strategies, both to ensure directly affected by the impact that risks are managed and of climate change. Climate opportunities such as change will affect the income investments in renewable generating capacity of energy and low carbon growth vulnerable populations are seized. potentially increasing the Climate change number of people experiencing “In view of climate change, poverty and hunger. we need to upgrade our risk will affect the management capability, Climate change will affect the strengthen the new Climate income income generating capacity of Change Unit in the Ministry of generating vulnerable populations Water and Environment and in potentially increasing the view of the country’s over capacity of number of people experiencing reliance on biomass energy, poverty and hunger. government needs to initiate vulnerable and step up deliberate populations Tumusiime Rhoda, the African afforestation activities… As a Union Peace Commissioner for matter of urgency, potentially Rural Economy and Agriculture government needs to come up increasing the said recently that there is now with a comprehensive land realization of the challenges use and urbanization policy,” number of posed by climate change and said Telly Eugene Muramiira, the worrying situation of Africa the Director of Policy, people as the most affected continent Planning and Information at experiencing that remains most vulnerable NEMA recently. and least resilient in the face poverty and of climate change. “Impacts of Ronald Musoke is a journalist who works with EnviroConserve AFRICA climate change are creating hunger. Magazine additional demands on fragile economies and draining our

22 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 Fulfilling our promises to women

n these times of global now clearly a global crisis that Funding for reproductive Ieconomic crisis, our families, is hitting Africa quite hard. It health, prevention of HIV, and communities and nation face is already affecting our progress preventative health care in increasingly difficult decisions toward reducing poverty. general can be viewed by both about how to harness existing Uganda and other developing families and policy makers as scarce financial resources. This countries are negatively non-essential services. Yet is amplified by the many dismal impacted in the economic crisis dropping these critical services statistics repeated in print because of our reliance on leads to increases in maternal media and electronic media remittances from family and infant death and disability. like ‘the economy of developed overseas and official countries (measured by GDP) is development aid (ODA) for Investing in family planning and predicted to fall 4.5% in 2009 national budget support. reproductive health services and world trade will fall nearly not only is good for women’s 10%. In Uganda, remittances We know that women and health and rights, it makes are down 47%, from $504.04 children in developing economic sense—each $1 million to $267.32 million. countries will bear the brunt of invested in contraceptive USh2.5trn of this year’s budget the impact of the global services will avoid between (33%) is to come from donor financial crisis. Yet we must $1.7 and $4 in expenditures on support. Yet it is widely known face this harsh reality with the maternal and newborn health, that donor countries’ official knowledge we have on what in addition to cost-savings in development aid (ODA) is works in development. We must education, water sanitation, reduced when their economies invest in critical services to and immunization. Investing in face turmoil. mitigate the impact on women family planning services and allow them to contribute reduces maternal mortality, to the economic productivity of What started as a financial improves child survival, their families, communities, issue of the US and Europe is promotes women’s and our country.

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 23 empowerment and contributes attendance at births, and and 2000, Egypt reduced its to poverty reduction. emergency obstetric care. maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by over 50% due to the focused On 11 July 2009, people around Maternal mortality has efforts of the Ministry of Health the world will observe the 20th significant impact on women, and Population to improve World Population Day. Over the families and our country—in access to, and quality of past 20 years, we have seen terms of lost lives, rights, and maternal and reproductive investments in health and national productivity (GDP). health services, reduce fertility education for women and girls rates, and improve antenatal leading to increases in We have a blueprint for what care utilization and skilled productivity, agricultural we need to do, in Uganda and attendance at delivery. With yields, and national incomes in globally—we must fund and concentrated efforts, developing countries. implement the “Roadmap for significant improvements in Accelerating the Reduction of reducing maternal mortality Yet, there is still much to be Maternal and Neonatal are achievable. achieved. At the 2009 Mortality and Morbidity in Commission on Population and Uganda (2007-2015).” This South-South cooperation is a Development, the Govern- national roadmap aligns with tool that we must take ment of Uganda recognized global frameworks and advantage of to both share our the high population growth agreements such as the global knowledge with other rate of 3.4%, “unacceptably commitment to universal developing countries and to high levels of illiteracy (30%), access to reproductive health learn from their experiences, high infant mortality rate (76/ services by 2015 of the as well. Developed countries 1000 live births), high International Conference on will be increasingly focused on maternal mortality ratio (435/ Population and Development their own problems, leaving us 100,000 live births); low life Programme of Action (ICPD PoA) as developing countries to expectancy (average of 51 agreed to by 179 countries in partner and learn from each years); and a high rate of HIV/ 1994, the Millennium other as we all strive towards AIDS (6.4%).” Yet while a Development Goals (MDGs) and the attainment of the common number of these indices have the 2006 Maputo Plan of Action ICPD goals and MDGs. We must improved over the last 10 of the African Union take advantage of our years, Uganda has not made a Conference of Ministers of knowledge of local conditions significant positive step in Health (later ratified by African and solutions. terms of the population Heads of State). growth rate, fertility rate and We have the shared knowledge contraceptive usage. In order to fulfill our to implement effective, low- commitments, we must use our cost strategies to improve the Every year, 265,000 mothers resources wisely. This can best health of mothers and children. in sub-Saharan Africa die in be done in developing countries What we now need is the childbirth from preventable by sharing our experiences and commitment of community and causes. In Uganda alone, good practices through South- political leaders to support approximately 6,000 women South cooperation and learning health progammes that work die every year due to from the successes of our and to fund the policies and pregnancy complications. brothers and sisters in other commitments they have made. Women bleed to death, they developing countries. We need do not have access to to look to the example set by We must commit ourselves to antibiotics to prevent simple other countries like Egypt, ending the tragedy of infections; they often do not Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa maternal mortality. No have the option of a caesarean and Sri Lanka, who have woman should lose her life section when it is necessary. successfully lowered their rates while giving life. We can prevent these of maternal ill-health through Submitted by Partners in Population and tragedies by providing women sustained financial and political Development Africa Regional Office with prenatal care, skilled commitment. Between 1992-93 (www.ppdafrica.org).

24 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 Linking HIV As the credit crunch continues to bite the prevention with rich economies of the world that have an poverty reduction influence on the

mmediately after getting his support services such as economies of I HIV test result, John asks his provision of emotional and developing countries, counselor, “Now that I know my financial support, more there is need to HIV status, what next?” These information and education on devise means of are among the many questions HIV & AIDS, being assisted to that counselors encounter as live with the virus, and on how building capacity for they serve clients at AIDS cope with psycho – social self reliance to Information Centre (AIC). The changes. At that time the minimize the impact number of people seeking HIV existing HIV & AIDS support on the Millennium counseling and Testing (HCT) at organizations targeted only HIV AIC has significantly increased positive clients. The major Development Goal over the years from 9466 in objective was to offer on-going (MGDS) 1990 to over 337,500 in 2008. psychosocial support to the achievements. This has been made possible members through the different HCT approaches designed and used by AIC over time and the fact that many Ugandans have come to appreciate that HIV counseling and testing is the entry point to prevention, care and treatment.

In order to address the many challenges and issues raised by those who test for HIV, a Post Test Club (PTC) was established on August 4, 1990 in support of the national effort to prevent further spread of HIV/AIDS and to provide psychosocial support to those infected and affected by HIV. This is a club for people who have tested regardless of the HIV result. The purpose of the club at the time was to respond to the expressed needs of the clients for on going AIC PTC putting the skills he acquired to establish a piggery farm

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 25 In the early days of the epidemic those who tested positive were supported materially by providing them with food stuffs which was made possible through the support of World Food Programme (WFP). Members used to get packages every weekend that included Posho, cooking oil etc. With the change in strategy by WFP from issuing free food to creating capacity in food

production for sustainability, Clients queue for HIV Counselling and Testing services after a community free food stuffs could not sensitization at a fish landing site in Mukono longer be issued to members. individual’s remittance for that tested by AIC in 2008 learnt As a result, AIC introduced month. about the service through several activities which were community outreaches incorporated in the PTC As the credit crunch continues activities conducted by PTCs. programme to address this to bite the rich economies of Some of the members have also challenge. These included the world that have an been trained as reproductive poultry farming, training in art influence on the economies of health attendants, counseling and crafts, food preparation developing countries, there is attendants and youth corner and collaboration with micro need to devise means of attendants. finance institutions to make building capacity for self credit facilities available to reliance to minimize the As the population increases and members. impact on the Millennium the HIV prevalence remains Development Goal (MGDS) Owing to the enthusiasm from stagnant, empowering such achievements. Such models those who participated, these support group members with are a good remedy for the activities flourished making it the necessary reproductive financial crisis and yet they easy for the members to access health knowledge is helpful in helps in attracting members of credit facilities from renowned checking the population the public to test for HIV test micro finance institutions. At growth as well as disseminating as well as reducing poverty. AIC Kampala for instance PTC information on HIV prevention. female members organized In order to contribute to HIV Many members of PTCs who themselves in small groups of prevention efforts among had turned the club into their 30 and accessed financial communities, AIC PTCs livelihood are being assistance from FINCA. But as disseminated information on encouraged to get reintegrated the group grew bigger the prevention of HIV and AIDS into their community after a monitoring of the group through music, dance, drama, period of two years and use the activities became more poetry and sharing person skills acquired to become self challenging and as a result, testimonies on living with HIV reliant or become part of some members failed to and AIDS. They also engage in smaller community support service their loans in time yet condom distribution and peer groups that exist at community if one member defaulted it education at various levels. level or to start new ones all meant that other members in This has greatly impacted on together. the group had to contribute the number of people being By Robert Ntalaka towards that particular tested as 44.4% of the clients AIDS Information Centre - Uganda

26 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 Promoting the Health and Development of young people

A medical service provider explaining to the client how to use the drugs

oung people are agents of range from poverty, services to young people aged Ychange, they are a great ignorance to diseases. 10 – 24 years. It was established potential resource for the to increase awareness, future. With fresh energy, Naguru Teenage Information motivation and adoption of ideas and hopes, they remain Health Centre (NTIHC) believes safe ASRH behaviour and resilient, energetic and eager that the health status of an practises. NTIHC envisions a to learn. Since they individual is very crucial in society of young people who constitute a large proportion determining productivity. It’s are empowered in Adolescent of Uganda’s population, young on this basis that a wide range Sexual Reproductive Health people cannot be ignored if of services are provided at and Rights (ASRHR). we are to overcome the NTIHC to ensure that young challenges of poverty. people remain healthy and NTIHC joins the rest of the However, given the fact that productive. world to commemorate the young people are adventurous World Population Day. This in nature, they become Naguru Teenage Information year’s theme, ‘Empowering susceptible to a number of Health Centre is the pioneer Communities to Overcome challenges that prevent them program in providing youth Challenges of Poverty” from fully utilizing their friendly Adolescent Sexual highlights the need to promote potential. Such challenges Reproductive Health (ASRH) the health and development of

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 27 young people if we are to over fact that a substantial number Join us in the struggle to obtain come the challenges of of young people seeking and maintain a society of young poverty. NTIHC’s services were people who are empowered in unemployed. ASRH and Rights. The services provided include: Management of Sexually In addition to provision of Transmitted Diseases (STD’s), services and information, HIV Counselling and Testing NTIHC has also embarked on Young people (HCT), provision of pregnancy equipping young people with related services which include: livelihood skills as part of are equipped pregnancy testing, antenatal empowering them to overcome services, postnatal services, the challenges of poverty. This with family planning and post was in recognition that a livelihood abortion care among others. substantial number of young The program also provides people seeking NTIHC’s skills as a way counselling services on issues services are unemployed. In of like: growing up, sexual addition, it was also found that problems, relationships, child most of the reproductive empowering care, substance abuse and health issues presented by many others. Young people are young people are a result of them to also equipped with knowledge poverty, dependency and overcome the on ASRH and skills to demand vulnerability. for their Reproductive Health challenges of rights through the following In trying to overcome these interventions; group challenges, the issue of poverty in discussions which are intensifying partnership with recognition conducted every day as clients vocational training and wait for services, Outreaches, financial institutions seemed of the fact Radio talk shows aired on radio inevitable. NTIHC has that a Simba from 8:00 – 9:00pm therefore partnered with every Sunday, Reading (IEC) vocational training institutions substantial materials and educative films. such as Uganda Youth NTIHC also has a Toll free help Development Link (UYDEL), number of line (042- 2222), it is a pre – Micro save in order to equip young people paid service where young young people with livelihood people call in using Uganda skills. seeking Telecom network and are guided to make informed RH As we continue to serve young NTIHC’s decisions. people, we wish to inform all services were our partners, stakeholders and Young people are equipped beneficiaries that we have unemployed. with livelihood skills as a way relocated our services from of empowering them to Naguru Health Centre to Kiswa By Ntale Henrynaguru overcome the challenges of Health Centre opposite Shell Teenage Information and poverty in recognition of the Bugolobi. Health Centre (NTIHC)

28 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 Cost of Child Index (CCI) as basis for population issues advocacy

umerous studies indicate The above mentioned on fertility. To this end, it is Nthat the population challenges are all have a important that countries and growth rate of Uganda is 3.2 bearing on population issues. particularly developing and the Total Fertility Rate countries like Uganda, begin to (TFR) is 6.7, thus on average As a matter of fact, the poor regularly provide data to every woman gives birth to 7 continue to have a people on child raising costs. children in her reproductive disproportionate pinch of these lifetime. With this TFR, challenges. Particularly, To calculate the cost of raising Uganda’s population now countries with higher fertility a child, the Child Cost Meter estimated to be in excess of levels are likely to exacerbate Table (CCMT) is used. 30 million is growing by about their vulnerability to these Accordingly, the CCMT can 1.2 million people annually. challenges. In view of these easily be used to calculate child challenges that partly require raising costs. The resulting data The rapid population growth people to have affordable helps families, government and undermines the country’s families, it is important that other stakeholders to efforts to defeat poverty and countries promote affordable appreciate the cost of raising a provide quality social families as one of the solutions. child so as to plan to have services. This also puts Therefore there should be affordable families. enormous stress on land and deliberate effort to ensure other resources. Furthermore that, people produce children The findings enable a family to at the current growth rate, that they can afford to cater set a self regulatory family size the population is projected to for. Although, the population measure thus Income double every 20 years, which policy in Uganda is very liberal, Contraception (IC): The term means that by 2028, Uganda even within the existing policy income contraception is will have 60 million people. It regime, there is more that can defined as control of fertility is important to note that 56% be done. through income thresholds. For of this population are young example if a family’s annual The cost of child index is one people below fifteen years of income is less than CCI of of the tools that provides age. raising a child up to 25 years), evidence to demonstrate the it should not produce more than unsustainability of Uganda’s The world is experiencing three children. high fertility rate. enormous challenges and constraints that warrant Cost of Child Index (CCI) is a By appreciation/adoption of countries, especially tool that can be used to this, the income becomes the developing countries, to check calculate the cost of raising up contraception factor, and their population growth trends. a child. In most African compels the family to produce Some of these challenges countries like Uganda, responsibly and use family include: Governments collect various planning methods. demographic data for planning If a household’s annual income „ Climate change (droughts, and other purposes. However, is less than the IC threshold, it tsunamis, storms etc) most do not have data on the should not produce more than „ Unstable food prices cost of raising a child. Yet if this 3 children. „ Unstable energy prices data was to be available, it especially oil would facilitate advocacy for Francis R. Tucungwirwe, Researcher, „ Increasing cost of living affordable families and Development Research Centre (DRC). „ Hunger and poverty planning for household Information in the above article was „ Unemployment transformation. extracted from a presentation made „ Water stress projections at an Advocacy Skills Building „ Land shortages and soil Also, such data would help in workshop organised by POPSEC for depletion media practitioners held June 10 – 13, influencing people’s decisions 2009 at Maria Flo Hotel, Masaka.

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 29 KATAKWI DISTRICT PROFILE

Ekongot Robert - Chairman

Nkata James - CAO

Matthew Olemo - District Planner

Omoding Samuel District Population Officer

Arwata Joseph Resident District Commissioner

30 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 DISTRICT BACKGROUND AND CHARACTERISTICS

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Altitude:

Katakwi District regained its district status in 1997 The district lies approximately between 1,036m – through an Act of Parliament. Its earlier status as 1,127m above sea level North Teso District was cancelled in the 1970s. The District was curved out of Soroti District in 1997 and Climate: in July 2005 Amuria district was curved out of Katakwi district. The climate is characterized by two seasons i.e. wet season; March – October and dry season; November – February. The mean annual rainfall varies from GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING: 1000mm – 1500mm.

Location: The rainy season has a principal peak due around March- June and a minor peak around August – Katakwi District is located in the North Eastern region October. of Uganda, lying between longitudes 33° 48' E - 34° 18' E and latitudes 1° 38' N – 2° 20' N. Soils:

It shares borders with the districts of Moroto in the The soils are mainly of ferralitic type (sandy North, Nakapiripirit in the East, Amuria in the West sediments and sandy loam). They are well drained & North-west, Soroti in the Southwest and Kumi in and friable. Bottomland contains widespread the South. deposits of alluvium.

The District Headquarters is situated at Katakwi Town The land resource is fertile and productive. The most Council, a road distance of about 380 km from fertile region being areas lying in the North to Eastern Kampala, the National capital by the most direct part of the district. route. Vegetation: District Area: The vegetation of Katakwi district largely comprises Total area (sq.km) : 2,507 of savannah grasslands dotted with shrubs and trees. Land area (sq.km) : 2,177 It can generally be described as a wood land / shrub land – grassland vegetation dominated by Acacia, Water area (sq.km) : 177 Conbretum, Piliostigma, Butyrosperum paradoxum Land under cultivation (sq.km) : 720 and Hyperenia species. Area under forest (sq.km) : 22.98 Geology: Other : 129.67 Geological surveys have revealed that most areas are underlain by rocks of basement complex of Geomorphology: precambrian age, which include: granites, mignalites, gneiss, schists and quartzites. The district landscape is generally a plateau with gently undulating slopes in certain areas.

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 31 DEMOGRAPHIC DATA: ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Population by Sub-county Population Size and Distribution:

The district population of Katakwi for the year 2002 final census results is 118,928 out of which 57,401 (48.3%) are male and 61,527 (51.7%) are female.

Population Distribution by Sub-county and Sex (2002)

COUNTY SUB COUNTY MALE FEMALE TOTAL 1. USUK Kapujan 4,383 4,805 9,188 Katakwi 12,902 13,785 26,687 Katakwi T/C 2,769 3,143 5,912 Magoro 5,567 6,012 11,579 Ngariam 8,065 8,362 16,424 Omodoi 5,063 5,494 10,557 Ongongoja 4,733 5,051 9,784 Toroma 4,642 4,858 9,500 Usuk 9,277 10,017 19,294 Population Growth Rate:

TOTAL 57.401 61,527 118,928 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Years 1961-‘69 1969-‘80 1980-‘91 1991-‘02 Of the total district population, 2.38% are urban while 97.62% are rural. (%) Growth Note: The population figures are based on final census results, 2002. rate 0.6 2.2 - 1.9 6.45 Information Source: Uganda 2002 Population and Housing Census.

Note: Population Projection by Sub-county and Sex (2009) z The urbanization rate for the district now stands at 5%. COUNTY SUB COUNTY MALE FEMALE TOTAL z The population growth rates 1. USUK Kapujan 5,683 6,191 11,874 for the period 1961-1991 are Katakwi 16,729 17,762 34,491 derived from Soroti District Katakwi T/C 3,590 4,050 7,640 which Katakwi was part of. Magoro 7,218 7,747 14,965 z The negative growth rate for Ngariam 10,457 10,775 21,232 the period 1980-91 is Omodoi 6,019 6,260 12,279 attributed mainly to the high Ongongoja 12,029 12,907 24,936 death and migration rates Toroma 6,137 6,508 12,645 consequent upon the Usuk 6,565 7,079 13,644 insurgency during the civil TOTAL 74,427 79,279 153,706 strife and cattle rustling which prevailed in the region Note: the population figures are based on projections from final census results, 2002 (UBOS) during this period.

32 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 Population Density by Sub-county (2002): ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Population by Denomination: COUNTY SUB COUNTY Total Land Population Population area (sq. km) Density Catholic 59.2% 1. USUK Kapujan 9,188 79.39 117.04 Katakwi 26,687 272.60 100.00 Anglicans 30.6% Katakwi T/C 5,912 13.0 561.15 SDAs 0.3% Magoro 11,579 231.66 48.63 Pentecostal 4.6% Ngariam 16,424 642.29 28.00 Moslem 1.0% Omodoi 10,557 N/A N/A Others 2.1% Ongongoja 9,784 N/A N/A None 2.2% Toroma 9,500 N/A N/A Usuk 19,294 N/A N/A Information Source: Uganda 2002 Sub total 118,928 2,177.23 56.59 Population and Housing Census GRAND TOTAL 118,928 2,177.23 56.59 Ethnicity: Functional Age Groups (2002):

AGE GROUP AGE TOTAL PERCENTAGE The ethnic composition of the LLG (Complete years) is that the people in the district are mainly Nilo-Hamites with very Population for immunization 0 – 4 24,380 20.5% Pre-school age population 0 - 5 26,485 18.4% few Bakenyi of Bantu origin. Primary school age population 6 - 12 25,570 21.5% Lower Secondary age pop. 14 - 17 10,754 8.8% Child population 0 - 17 66,005 55.5% Teen-age population 13 - 19 32,994 27% Youth population 18 - 30 25,451 21.4% Adult Population 18+ 52,923 44.5% Females of reproductive age 15 - 49 29,084 23.8% Productive age group 15 - 64 64,521 52.8% Elderly Above 60 6,541 5.5%

Note: According to analysis of the Census 2002 Population & Housing Census results

Demographic Indicators: Parental survival (For children below 18 years) INDICATOR KATAKWI UGANDA Sex ratio (Males per 100 females): 93.6 96.5 Both parents alive 55,477 84.05% Dependency ratio (per 100 productive pop.): 89.39 104 Father dead 8,709 13.19% Crude Birth rate (per 1000 Pop.): 48.5 52 Mother dead 2,717 4.12% Crude death rate (per 1000 Pop.): 17.9 1 Both Parents dead 1,368 2.07% Total fertility rate: 6.35 6.9 Don’t know 420 0.64% Infant mortality rate (per 1000 live births): 116 97 Orphan Under 5 mortality rate (per 1000 live births): 192 174 (Either parent dead) 10,058 15.24% Maternal Mortality rate (per 100,000 live births): N/A 506 Contraceptive prevalence: N/A 15 Source: Uganda 2002 Population and Housing Life expectancy at birth (years): 46 48 Census. Urban distribution population (%): 2.0 11.3 Child nutritional status- wasted (%): N/A 5.3 Child nutritional status- stunted (%): N/A 38.3

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 33 NATURAL RESOURCES: An extensive geological survey is required to establish the mineral potential in the different parts of the Water Resources: district.

The water resources in Katakwi consist of open water Energy Sector: bodies (surface sources), ground water (sub-surface) and rain- harvest. Katakwi District has no Electricity supply. The District is ear marked to benefit from Uganda Electricity Katakwi District has an area of 177 sq. km covered Distribution proposed 33 KV feeder power line from by water. The District has two minor lakes (Bisina Soroti to Moroto and Kotido. and Opeta) in its border with Kumi district and one seasonal river (Kiriik) flowing from Karamoja. It also A dispatch sub-station for the line location is in Opuyo has a large swamp area. near Soroti town a distance of about 52 km to Katakwi District Headquarters. The demand for electricity Water from these various sources is put to multiple supply in Katakwi town is increasingly rising by the uses including human, livestock and wildlife day. consumption. In addition, the open water sources being rich in bio-diversity are a source of fisheries The heavy capital out lay anticipated seems to be resource. the major constraint on the work on the proposed Wetlands occupy the transition between open water power line. At the district headquarters small bodies and terrestrial eco-system and perform generators and solar systems are used to power the important regulatory functions. Rainfall is the equipment. principal contributor of water to the surface bodies. Petroleum Products: Forest Resources:

z District area under Forest (sq. km): 26.15 The private sector is being encouraged to get involved z Natural forest cover: ( sq. km): 23.46 in the supply of petroleum products to the district. z Man-made forest cover( sq.km): 0.52 At the moment there is only one filling station in the z Number of government tree nurseries: 2 district run by Caltex Petrol Service Station Ltd. The z Number of private tree nurseries: 7 second station is yet to be completed but it has had z Number of NGO/CBO nurseries: 2 its construction stalled for a long time. z Number of agro Forestry sites: 16 z Number of Natural forests: 3 Solar Energy: z Number of licensed pit sawyers: 3

Solar energy has a very high natural potential in The common tree species include: Viteria, the district. However, its use is still very low. It is Combetrum, Terminalia, Ficus, Tarmarindus, Albizzia limited to the district administration offices, few and Acacia health facilities and very few individuals. The cost of solar systems is very high to the common man. Mineral Resources:

The mineral potential of Katakwi District has not yet Bio-mass: been prospected. There has never been any full- scale geological study to establish the minerals present in the district. Biomass in the form of firewood and charcoal are the major sources of energy in both the rural and However, the salty taste of water from the sub- the urban settings in Katakwi District. The adoption surface sources especially in Katakwi Town Council of the use of energy saving technologies in the and Katakwi sub-county seem to indicate the households and institutions is still very slow. presence of some deposits of minerals.

34 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009 EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE:

Primary Education: z Number of temporary classrooms: 327 z Pupils-classroom ratio: 116:1 z Number of Primary Schools: 72 z Teacher-house ratio: 5:1 z Number of permanent classrooms: 348 z Number of teacher resource centres: 5 z Number of semi permanent classrooms: 153 z EARS Centre: 1 Secondary Education:

Number Government Private Community Total Number of secondary schools 5 4 3 12 Number of classrooms 29 9 12 50

Vocational/Technical Education:

Category Government Private Community Total Number of Technical schools 1 0 0 1 Number of Vocational schools 1 0 0 1

Data Source: Education MIS, 2008

Socio- Economic Background and Population Teso region became impoverished as the economic Livelihoods: base was completely depleted.

With the gradual return of peace in the early 1990’s The people of Katakwi District are partially the population began to resettle and engage in small- traditionally pastoralists. They earn their scale production activities. Through individual and livelihood through livestock rearing and crop some NGO efforts, the economic recovery had begun production at subsistence level. This was so until to take shape with livestock and crop production 1986 when cattle rustling by the Karimojong levels rising. However, if the persistent cattle rustling intensified. In 1987 a civil strife broke out in the continues, it will affect the economic recovery. If Teso region and this aggravated the situation. total peace and security is restored, there is no doubt that Katakwi district can attain sustainable levels of During this period a lot of lives and property were development. lost and many families got disintegrated. Most of the productive labour force was either destroyed On average about 64% of the population of Katakwi or displaced. Animal traction, which used to be a falls below the poverty line (i.e. the population is major means of opening land for agricultural spending less than US $ 1 per person per day on basic production became a thing of the past. The whole human requirements such as health, food, shelter).

HEALTH INSFRASTRUCTURE (As of April, 2009):

Health Facility Government Private/NGO Total Health Centre IV 1 0 1 Health Centre III 5 2 7 Theatre 1 0 1 Laboratory 3 2 5 Maternities 7 2 9 Clinics 0 11 11 Drug shops 0 31 31

Note: The number of drug shops is expected to rise within the cause of the year as many more have applied for operational licenses. Data Source: Katakwi HMIS

July 2008 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty 35 World Population Day 11th July, 2009

Population Secretariat Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development P.O. Box 2666 Kampala Tel: 0414 - 705400 Fax: 0414 - 343116 Email: [email protected] Website: www.popsec.org 36 Empowering Communities to Overcome Challenges of Poverty July 2009