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The Population of Uganda According to the Uganda Population and Housing Census Provisional Results (November 2002), the population of Uganda was 24.7 millions, with over 80% living in rural areas. The population of males amounted to 12.1 millions and for females 12.6 millions indicating that there are more females than males. According to the UDHS (2001) report, Uganda is a young population with children (persons under 15 years) accounting for more than 52% of the population. This percentage is higher in rural areas than urban areas. The report also indicates that infants below 5 years were 20% while teenagers (10-19) were 24%. Therefore, in general over 61% of the population is below 20 years. The UDHS (2001) report indicates household sizes ranged from 1 to 9 or more members and 84% of the households were in rural areas while 16% were in urban areas. Over 72% of the households were reported to be headed by males; others by either females or children. According to Wakhweya et.al., (2002), the main cause of child headed households is loss of the parent(s) or orphanhood and failure of the extended family network to provide care to orphans (Asinguire, 1992; Wakhweya et. al., 2002, Dunn, et.al.,1991). Mwaka and Tumushabe (1996) also observed that child headed households are increasing due to the increasing strain on the extended family systems. Economic Situation: According to the World Development Report (2000), the economic growth of Uganda has been at about 7% per annum although the country was still ranked the 30th poorest in the world. The GNP is US$ 6.8 billions while GDP per capita is only US $320. These figures imply that the majority households live on less than US$1 per day. The situation is worse in the impoverished households affected and afflicted by the AIDS epidemic.
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