1. Harnessing the Demographic Dividend for Uganda
Prof Fred Ssengooba - MUSPH
Ms. Judith Mutabazi – NPA

2. Context of the problem & its importance
Uganda aspires to become a middle-income country with a par capita income of $9,500, by 2040, the major issue for government to address is the high population growth rate (3.0% annually).
Opportunity exist for reducing the high fertility (6.2) that will change the population structure to one with more working age adults than children (52% below 18 years) – thus reducing the dependence burden through a multi-sectoral approach.

3. Statement on why the policy brief argues for the current approach/policy
The high fertility rate continues to impact on huge cost of service delivery, high infant and maternal deaths, high unemployment that is not leading to fast economic growth
We need quality population than big size not creating demand

4. Key recommendations for actions
Provision of family planning services – by focusing on unmet need currently estimated at 32 percent
Health reforms – promote access, affordable and quality (workforce) in provision of health service delivery for all
Education reforms- focus on innovations, skills development, science and technology and entrepreneurship
Economic reforms & job creation - Build industrialization from the agricultural base through value addition industries, investing in infrastructure (Energy, transportation and communication)
Governance and accountability- this requires strengthening the structures and systems for governance

5. Identify key stakeholders; and outline strategies for negotiations with them
STAKEHOLDERS: MFPED, MOH, MOES, MGLSD, MTI, MAAIF, MEMD, MLHUD, POPSEC, NPA, DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, CSOs, RELIGIOUS ORGs, ACADEMIA
STRATEGIES:
Coordination committees – roles & responsibilities
Develop an action plan
Develop monitoring and evaluation indicators
Hold monthly review meetings for Core Technical Team to assess implementation progress in sector annual plans
Lobby for funds

6. Economic evidence
More working age population increasing productivity and widen tax base
Increased family planning services reduces population growth and gender empowerment (no. of children produced)
Reduced health budget on maternal, infant mortality and stunting
Skilled population able to get employment
Industrialization will create jobs leading to socio-economic transformations

7. General strategies used to communicate/ ’translate’ the evidence to policy-makers
Quarterly/annual reports
Mid term evaluation report on NDPII
National population day
State of the annual population report
Sector working meetings
Media

8. Discuss any other strengths and weaknesses of the policy brief overall (structure (length, clarity), evidence, presentation (photos, size)
Strengths: Political will, ICPD resolution (2013) resolution leading to DD report, National population Policy (2003), HSDP ( ), Uganda Vision 2040, SGDs
Weakness: Population is a cross cutting issue, so all sectors take responsibility to allocate resources & implement – no line ministry other than POPSEC (coordination & advocacy role)

9. Final decision taken in the national context regarding problem issue raised
Integrate population issues in all sector development plans (SDPs)
Develop an advocacy plan on demographic dividend
Develop costed interventions, targets and indicators in eight priority sectors to monitor implementations