KAMPALA
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned that teenage pregnancy continues to erode Uganda’s development prospects, with the country losing an estimated 24% of its potential annually due to adolescent childbearing.
Speaking during a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre ahead of World Population Day, UNFPA country director Kristine Blokhus urged increased investment in adolescent health, education and empowerment to enable young people contribute to national development.
“Uganda has a young population that is healthy, energetic and full of potential. We must invest in them so they can contribute meaningfully to the country’s development,” Blokhus said.
She noted that Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) places human capital development at the centre of the country’s transformation agenda, making investment in young people essential for inclusive economic growth.
World Population Day, observed annually on July 11, seeks to raise awareness about population issues and the need to invest in people for sustainable development. This year’s celebrations will be held virtually from the Office of the Vice President under the theme, “Unlocking the Potential of Uganda’s Population Through Technology and Research to Drive Sustainable Development.”
Blokhus called for increased investment in young people, technology and innovation to unlock the country’s rapidly growing population.
State Minister for Finance Amos Lugoloobi said the theme comes at a critical time when Uganda is pursuing its strategy to expand the economy from about $53.7 billion to $500 billion by 2040.
“We have been lagging behind in terms of the technologies that we use while others have moved far ahead. We must become competitive if we are to catch up,” Lugoloobi said.
He said the country must harness technology and research to transform its youthful population into a productive force capable of driving sustainable development.
According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, about 73% of Uganda’s population is below the age of 30, making it one of the world’s youngest nations.
However, Lugoloobi said multidimensional poverty, low productivity, limited markets and inadequate living standards continue to constrain young people’s potential, calling for greater access to technology, innovation, skills and opportunities to improve livelihoods and accelerate national development.
