The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has released the Madi Sub‑Region profile from the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, revealing significant socio‑economic challenges in Adjumani, Moyo, and Obongi districts.
The census recorded a household population of 536,731 and 13,718 non‑household residents, bringing the total to over 550,000 people. With 107,531 households, the average household size is 5.0 persons, and population density stands at 111 people per square kilometre.
Labour Force
Children under 18 make up 288,946 people, while adults aged 18+ number 261,503. The working‑age population (14–64 years) is 308,419. Youth unemployment is a pressing concern, with 39.6% of those aged 15–24 not in employment, education, or training (NEET). The unemployment rate for adults 15+ is 18.8%, and labour force participation is only 24.5%.
Living Conditions
UBOS data shows 78.8% of households own their homes, 14.3% live free of charge, and 5.8% rent. Water access is high — 96.6% use improved sources — but sanitation remains poor: only 35.5% have improved facilities, while 54.5% use unimproved sanitation and 9.9% still practice open defecation.
Electricity access is limited, with just 25.1% connected to the grid or solar, and only 1.6% of households rely on clean fuels for cooking. The majority use wood (61.3%) or charcoal (29.7%).
Health
Fertility remains high at 4.6 children per woman aged 15–49. Adolescent childbearing affects 3.8% of girls aged 10–19. Birth registration is low, with only 9.7% of children under five registered with a civil authority.
Poverty
Food insecurity is widespread, affecting 62.0% of households, with women more affected (68.6%) than men (56.0%). Nearly half (47.4%) of households operate in a subsistence economy, unable to meet basic needs.
Access to Information and Communication
Radio is the most common information source (26.4%), followed by phone calls (27.5%) and word of mouth (21.5%). Internet use remains minimal at 5.5% of individuals aged 10+, and only 33.9% own a mobile phone.
Refugee Population
Madi Sub‑Region hosts a substantial refugee population — 23.4% of residents — primarily in Adjumani District’s settlements, where household sizes average 6–8 persons, straining local resources.
Policy implications
UBOS officials stress that while water access is strong, the sanitation crisis, high youth unemployment, and severe food insecurity demand urgent policy intervention. The high refugee proportion calls for expanded humanitarian support and local infrastructure investment.
The findings underscore the region’s dual reality: advances in water access and home ownership are overshadowed by persistent poverty, limited energy access, and underdeveloped sanitation systems.
