The population of Karamoja sub region grew by over 50 per cent in the past 10 years, preliminary results from the National Population and Housing Census 2024 as released by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) have indicated.
Before the census of May 2024, the last census was in 2014, a decade ago. For all the sub regions of Uganda, the population has increased. The source of the increment is largely the number of children produced over the past 10 years. But in some regions such as West Nile, factors like the refugee situation and migration may play a huge factor.
At 51 per cent, Karamoja’s population grew to 1.45 million people (a population of 1,452,838). Even with the highest population growth rate, Karamoja is the least populous of Uganda’s sub regions, according to figures from UBOS census figures. Remote and impoverished, Karamoja has significant gold deposits.
In second place is West Nile whose population grew by 47 per cent. West Nile is the second most populous sub region of Uganda. According Census 2024 preliminary results, it has a population of 3.899 people (up to 3,899,084 people to be exact).
Considering the population growth rate, Buganda comes in position number three. The sub region’s population grew by 39 per cent. Buganda is the most populous sub region, with population standing at 11 million people (11,113,592 people to be exact).
Bunyoro sub region registered the fourth highest population growth rate. Its population grew by 38 per cent in the past 10 years. Bunyoro now has 2.79 million people (a population of 2,792,123 people to be exact).
Acholi sub region registered a population growth rate of 36 per cent. Acholi now has a population of two million (2,047,118 people.
Following Acholi is Teso sub region, which had a population growth rate of 35 per cent. Teso has 2.46 million people (2,462,344 people to be exact).
Tooro sub region’s population grew by 31 per cent. As of 2024, it has 2.46 million people (2,462,344 people to be exact).
Kigezi registered a population growth rate of 29 per cent. Kigezi has 1.779 million people (a population of 1,779,694).
Elgon sub region had a population growth rate of 26 per cent. Elgon has 2.2 million people (a population of 2,216,221).
Like Elgon, Bukedi sub region also registered a population growth rate of 26 per cent. Bukedi has 2.376 million people (2,376,744).
Lango sub region’s population grew by 25 per cent compared to 2014 figures. The sub region now has 2.567 million people (a population of 2,567,518 people).
The population of Ankole sub region grew by 24 per cent. Ankole has 3.6 million people (a population of 3,600,747 people to be exact).
Like Ankole, Kampala also registered a population growth rate of 24 per cent. According to UBOS figures for the 2024 census, the capital city of Uganda, has 1.875 million people (a population of 1,875,834).
Busoga sub region registered the least growth rate over the 10-year period. Its growth rate was 22 per cent. Yet Busoga is the second most populous sub region in Uganda. It has a population of 4.37 million (4,372,349 people to be exact).
POPULATION GROWTH RATE PER SUB REGION OF UGANDA IN 2024
| Sub Region | Population (2024) | Growth Rate (%) | |
| 1. | Buganda | 11,113,592 | 39 |
| 2. | Busoga | 4,372,349 | 22 |
| 3. | West Nile | 3,899,084 | 47 |
| 4. | Ankole | 3,600,747 | 24 |
| 5. | Tooro | 3,378,840 | 31 |
| 6. | Bunyoro | 2,792,123 | 38 |
| 7. | Lango | 2,567,518 | 25 |
| 8. | Teso | 2,462,344 | 35 |
| 9. | Bukedi | 2,376,744 | 26 |
| 10. | Elgon | 2,216,221 | 26 |
| 11. | Acholi | 2,047,118 | 36 |
| 12. | Kampala | 1,875,834 | 24 |
| 13. | Kigezi | 1,779,694 | 29 |
| 14. | Karamoja | 1,452,838 | 51 |
You can see how many people live in Ugandan cities and the population per region in 2024 as the country’s total population rises to 45.9 million people although President Yoweri Museveni was ‘shocked’ by the final census numbers Here, Even Here, There and Over There.
(For comments on this report, story tips or sponsored content, send us a Whatsapp message on +256 705 690 819 or E-mail us on pearltimesug@gmail.com).
