Excitement and celebration as Uganda welcomes the 8 billionth person

By Umar Weswala: 

Baby Elijah with mum (R). on the extreme left in the UNFPA 
Deputy Country Representative in Uganda Mr. Dan Alemu

While we can't know for sure who was the eight billionth person and where he/she was born, there is a high possibility that the baby was born in one of the countries with a high fertility rate. The symbolic selection for Uganda is that of Elijah, a baby born on 15th November 2022 in the China Uganda Friendship Hospital in Kampala. Baby Alijah was welcomed by officials from UNFPA, the Ministry of Health, the National Population Council and members of Parliament among others during the commemoration of the Day of 8 billion held on the day he was born and at the facility where he was born. The story behind Elijah’s birth today is for sure a story of triumph despite challenges that come with a growing population. It is a reminder to Ugandans that we are part of the global population and whatever we do or fail to do will have impact at a global level. It is also a landmark in human survival in a country where the share of the health sector in the national budget is only 7%. That the number of Ugandans is more than ever is a sign of increasing life expectancy and declining infant and maternal mortality. This boils down to the fact that there is progress in Uganda’s medicine and health systems, thanks to the efforts by the government and the contributions from development partners. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics Report of 2021, the percentage of child births attended to by skilled health professionals has increased over the years from 37% in 2001 to 73% in 2020. This is a sign of hard-won progress in health and development, which should be recognized and celebrated. Improvements in maternal and child health means that Elijah and other babies born in Uganda today are expected to live and thrive. 

Now that the 8 billionth person is here, what next? 

Officials from UNFPA, MOH, NPC, parliament, civil society 
in a group photo on the day of 8 billion in Uganda

According to UNFPA, the UN’s thought and action-leader on population issues, the day of 8 billion presents us with "8 billion hopes, 8 billion dreams, and 8 billion possibilities. According Dan Alemu, the UNFPA Deputy Country Representative in Uganda, UNFPA is taking this opportunity to underscore the need to move the conversation from numbers to rights and choices, and to find solutions that benefit all people in a society; whether in a rapidly aging population or in a high-fertility population, and result in a more just, prosperous and sustainable world. “It is evident that at eight billion, we have the power to shape our common futures. And by protecting individual rights, we can unlock the unlimited potential of people around the world to address the challenges facing their societies and the global problems imperiling us all” Alemu said shortly after meeting baby Elijah. He urged Ugandans not to be scared by the numbers but to focus on the quality of the population. “As we know, the goal is not more or fewer people but more and equal access to opportunities for people, especially women and girls, and where we can all harness the infinite possibilities that may lead us all to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals” he noted. 

A cause for celebration and call to find solutions 

In a speech read for her by Dr. Richard Mugahi - the Assistant Commissioner in Charge of Reproductive and Infant Health, the State Minister for Primary Health Care Hon. Margaret Muhanga said that reaching this milestone is both a cause for celebration but also a cause for humanity to find solutions to the challenges that come along. For Uganda, the Minister noted that the day of 8 billion is a very big platform for the country to reflect on the quality of population it is contributing to the world. “With four of every ten teenage girls becoming mothers before the age of 19 years, we need to ask ourselves is this the kind of contribution we need to continue making to the world” the Minister said.

Baby Elijah with Mumy

Commitments 

Minister Muhanga said that with support from development partners like UNFPA, the Ministry of Health will ensure that women bring forth life in a space of dignity and that, reproductive health commodities like contraceptives are available so that women can choose when to have a child and when not to have a child. On behalf of members of Parliament, Hon. Anthony Akol – MP Kilak North Constituency, Amuru District and a member of the Human Rights, Finance and Planning and Economic Development committee said; “We will do our best as members of parliament to make sure that the budged for health will gradually go up to 10%”. 

Umar Weswala is a blogger, social media strategist and a writer uweswala@gmail.com