BACKGROUND:
In 2024, Uganda conducted a national population and housing census. We compared the health determinants in the 2024 census with that of the past census in 2014 to draw recommendations for targeted interventions and policy.

METHODS:
We conducted a descriptive secondary data analysis on key indicators established from past literature and recommended frameworks from the two censuses (2014 [Main Report] and 2024 [Final Report (Volume 1)). Only indicators in both censuses were compared. Indicators selected included those on demographics, water, sanitation, and hygiene, energy use, health and wellbeing, child health, and access to information. Percentage changes were calculated for indicators.

RESULTS:
Uganda’s population increased from 34.6 million in 2014 to 45.9 million in 2024, a 32.6% increase in population. The overall sex ratio remained at 94.6 males per 100 females. Other notable changes included: access to improved drinking water increased from 71% to 81.1% of households (a 10.1% increase), and the share using improved sanitation facilities grew from 34% to 43.6% (a 9.6% increase); electricity use for lighting more than doubled from 20.4% to 53.4% of households. Firewood remained the dominant cooking fuel, but its usage declined by 6.5% (from 71% to 64.5%). In contrast, charcoal use increased by 5.3% (from 22.9% to 28.2%), and clean fuels remained rare (less than 2%). The under‑five mortality rate fell by half from 80/1,000 live births in 2014 to 46/1,000 in 2024. Ownership of radios dropped (59.6% to 41%), while ownership of televisions increased (13.9% to 23.1%).

CONCLUSIONS:
Comparing the two censuses, improvements in indicators for water, sanitation, electrification, and child survival and technological devices such as telephones were noted. Persistent dependence on wood and charcoal for cooking highlights ongoing environmental and health challenges. There is a need to address the gaps in indicators and leverage improvements to achieve sustainable health improvements.