The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has released the 2024 National Population and Housing Census profile for the Tooro Sub-Region, which comprises Kabarole, Bunyangabu, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Kitagwenda, and Ntoroko districts. The report presents a mixed picture of progress in water access and home ownership alongside persistent socio-economic challenges.
The census recorded a household population of 1,243,340 and non-household residents of 17,558, bringing the total population to 1,260,898. There are 264,013 households, with an average household size of 4.7 persons. Population density stands at 145 people per square kilometre, well below the national average.
Demographics and Labour Force
Children under 18 years account for 50.2% of the population, while adults aged 18 and over make up 49.8%. The working-age population (14–64 years) is 55.9% of the total, and the elderly (65+) constitute 4.8%. Youth unemployment is a concern, with 31.8% of those aged 15–24 not in employment, education, or training (NEET). The labour force participation rate is 35.6%, and the unemployment rate for adults 15+ is 6.1%.
Living Standards and Services
Housing tenure shows 88.7% of households own their homes. Access to safe water is strong — 91.1% of households use improved water sources — but sanitation lags, with only 43.6% having improved sanitation facilities. Over half (51.3%) use unimproved facilities, and 5.0% still practice open defecation.
Electricity access is moderate at 32.8% of households, while clean fuel use for cooking is low at 2.2%. The majority rely on wood (64.2%) or charcoal (31.2%).
Health and Fertility
The total fertility rate is 5.2 children per woman aged 15–49, matching the national high-fertility pattern. Adolescent childbearing affects 5.2% of girls aged 10–19, and only 12.1% of children under five have had their births registered with a civil authority.
Poverty and Food Security
Food insecurity affects 41.3% of households, with a higher prevalence among women (45.0%) than men (37.8%). The majority of households rely on subsistence farming, which limits income generation and resilience to economic shocks.
Information and Communication
Radio is the leading information source (48.6%), followed by word of mouth (27.2%). Mobile phone ownership stands at 47.8%, and internet access remains low at 4.7% of individuals aged 10 and above.
Policy Outlook
UBOS notes that Tooro’s strong water access and high rates of home ownership provide a foundation for development, but youth unemployment, high fertility, poor sanitation, and food insecurity continue to challenge the region. The bureau calls for targeted investments in job creation, agricultural productivity, and improved sanitation facilities.
