The Uganda Bureau of Statistics-UBOS report of the 2024 national population and housing census has revealed that 74% of Uganda’s population can read and write, registering a 2% increase from 72% in 2014.
According to UBOS, literacy means the ability to read with understanding and write meaningfully in any language.
The report shows that the Buganda sub-region has the highest literacy rate of 86%, and the Karamoja sub-region has the lowest rate of 25%. Kigezi and Elgon sub-regions have a 76% literacy rate, while Ankole has 79%.
With Uganda’s current population standing at 45,905,417 people, the 74% literacy rate means that at least 33 million Ugandans can read and write, reflecting a good development indicator.
The report showed a 101.3% gross attendance ratio for primary schools and 32% for secondary schools, registering a net attendance ratio of 66.8% for primary schools and 22.3% for secondary schools.
The increasing literacy rate in Uganda helps in poverty mitigation, and the creation of job opportunities, and has a positive impact on the health standards of the people. High literacy levels where both males and females can contribute help the wider economy to thrive and transform.
Literacy is an indicator of developed human capital, promotes innovation and the development of new ideas, and eliminates negative economic growth. The increasing literacy rate indicates that Uganda is on an upward development trajectory.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics Act of 1998 provides for the development and maintenance of a national statistical system to ensure the collection, analysis, and publication of integrated, relevant, reliable, and timely statistical information for proper planning and policy formulation aimed at fostering national development.
The UBOS National Planning and Housing Census 2024 will go the extra mile to guide the government of Uganda in the next ten years in terms of policy formulation and strategic planning up to 2034.
