UBOS Releases OVC Census Monograph as Government Moves to Strengthen Protection for Vulnerable Children
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has disseminated key findings from the Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (OVC) Census Monograph 2024 Volume 4, providing critical data to guide evidence based planning, policy formulation, and targeted interventions aimed at improving the welfare and protection of vulnerable children across Uganda.
On Thursday, the report, based on the 2024 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) Main Report Volume 1, offers detailed insights into the conditions facing orphans and children living in difficult circumstances, highlighting key challenges in education, child protection, and social welfare.
Speaking at the dissemination, UBOS Executive Director Chris Mukiza emphasized that the monograph is part of a broader effort to provide reliable, sector specific data to inform national development planning.
Dr. Mukiza noted that the Bureau has already released other census-based publications, including the Sub Regional Area Profiles Volume 2 and the Disability Monograph Volume 3, all designed to generate actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Aggrey David Kibenge, welcomed the report, describing it as a vital tool for strengthening government interventions, particularly under social protection programs targeting vulnerable children.
“This report helps us understand the realities facing orphans and children in unfavorable conditions and enables us to plan more effectively,” Kibenge said.
Key findings from the report reveal significant vulnerabilities among children aged 5–17. Only 17 percent of orphans are attending basic education, while 20 percent are engaged in employment, raising concerns about access to schooling and early exposure to labour.
Additionally, nearly 1 percent of children have unknown parental status, pointing to gaps in child identification and protection systems.
The report also highlights that child motherhood prevalence among orphans stands at 2.1 percent, with the highest rates recorded in the Bunyoro sub-region at 2.2 percent, compared to the lowest in Kampala at 0.7 percent.
Dr. Mukiza explained that the development of the monographs is demand driven, intended to provide key indicators that help identify gaps, guide remedial interventions, and respond to emerging socio economic challenges across sectors.
Stakeholders say the findings will play a critical role in shaping policies around education access, child protection, and poverty alleviation, ensuring that vulnerable children are better supported through targeted and data-driven programs.
With increasing focus on inclusive development, government officials reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging data to strengthen social protection systems and ensure that no child is left behind.
