In September this year, Cabinet approved the Population and Housing Census to be carried out by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) in August 2023.
The Census reference night is the 24th / 25th of August 2023.
Addressing journalists in Kampala on Monday, Godfrey Nabongo, the Acting Executive Director of UBOS, said preparatory activities are ongoing and these include the mapping exercise.
“We will do a pilot in February and then carry out the census in August 2023,” he told reporters at Statistics House, adding, “We have already set up committees at the national level and we are moving on to set up committees at the district level up to the lowest levels of government.”
Speaking at the same press briefing, James Kizza, the Director of Digital Solutions and Data Capability at UBOS, said technology can make the production of statistics more efficient.
“Statistics is important in planning and decision-making. Technology is growing and changing every day. We will use the advances in technology to better the statistical value chain,” he told journalists.
According to Kizza, the census happens once every 10 years and the coming census will be a technology-based census.
He said UBOS will procure tablets which will be used during the enumeration process.
A tablet is a small portable computer that accepts input directly onto its screen rather than via a keyboard or mouse.
“Instead of results coming after one year or two years, this time, they will come much earlier. Other countries that have used this method received the results in three months,” he revealed.
Kizza clarified that although they have not concluded arrangements for buying the tablets, the devices will be provided by the bureau.
“We will train the people who will do the enumeration. We have been handling surveys using tablets. The technology we will use this time is different. We guarantee that by the time someone goes to the field, they will be well prepared.”
Kizza said there will be tests in form of an extensive pilot to ensure they are ready for the exercise.
According to Nabongo, this technology won’t just support the census but also enhance service delivery in the country.
“These gadgets will be used elsewhere (government departments and agencies) after the census. The government isn’t just investing in these gadgets for census only but also enhancing service delivery.”
According to James Muwonge, the Director of Methodology and Statistical Coordination Services, census mapping started a while back.
“In Uganda, we are not good at using statistics. We need to improve the use of statistics. We have a long way to go.”
Vitus Mulindwa, the Director of Corporate Services, on his part, believes having the right equipment will increase statistical production.
“Our mandate is to provide support services to increase statistical production and resources to support these activities.”
According to UBOS September projections, Uganda’s current population is 44.7 million people.
