Kampala, Uganda – The latest report from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has shed light on the regions in Uganda with the highest proportion of households living in subsistence conditions. The report, which reflects the findings from the 2024 census, categorizes households that struggle to meet basic needs due to a lack of financial resources.
President Yoweri Museveni has long used the term “households in subsistence way of life” to describe these materially deprived groups. According to the report, out of Uganda’s 10.7 million households, approximately 3.5 million fall under this subsistence category, often referred to as “ekidda kyonka,” indicating those who live hand to mouth.
The UBOS report reveals alarming statistics across various regions: Karamoja leads with 71% of its population living in subsistence conditions, followed by West Nile at 54%, and Teso at 47%. Other regions such as Acholi and Lango also show significant figures at 50% and 48%, respectively. In contrast, urban areas like Kampala report only 1.7% of households living under these conditions.
The authors of the report, Mukiza and Byamugisha, have urged policymakers, civil society organizations, and development partners to utilize these findings for evidence-based advocacy and resource allocation aimed at alleviating material deprivation across different regions.