One of the world's fastest growing countries, Uganda, is welcoming its population growth as an asset, rather than a liability. The country's latest state of the environment report, says that Uganda's population increased from 4.8 million in 1948 to 30 million in 2008 and is expected to reach 103.2 million by 2050.

But the report is optimistic about the impact of the nation's 3.2 per cent growth rate: "People are a critical asset in development," it says, "because they provide labour and transport, market and sell raw materials as well as consume the products of their labour."

The report argues that the problem with a fast-growing population is not the growth itself, but "unplanned growth" and outlines the challenges ahead to ensure that population growth has a positive impact.

As Uganda's Bureau of Statistics 2003 report summed up: "A healthy and well planned population is at the centre of sustainable development in Uganda. Demographic indicators like the birth rate, death rate, age composition, spatial distribution and migration patterns are closely related to and are affected by socio-economic characteristics like employment, occupation, education and health."

The latest report says that the pressures on land, water, forests and biological resources have dramatically increased to meet the needs of the growing population. "For instance," it says, "the rapid population growth, coupled with freehold tenancy land policy has predisposed rural areas to land fragmentation, increased intensity of land use to maintain income levels and subsequently lowered individual incomes due to reduced farmlands."

An article published by allafrica.com points out that a large population requires more key services including sanitation, housing, transport, energy, education, employment and clothing.

It comments: "Government needs to invest in the people to guarantee that everybody can participate in the economy, increase their productivity and enhance their competitiveness."