The Executive Director of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Dr Chris Mukiza, has said the 2024 National Population and Housing Census will be the first digital Census and the results will be released in a record time of about six months.
“Some of the tablets, after use, will be left with the parishes for the Parish Development Model (PDM) data collection and others with the electoral commission and National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA),” he said on Tuesday during the census launch at Kololo airstrip in Kampala.
The launch started with a walk led by the chief statistician himself from Statistics House to Kololo Independence Grounds.
In his speech, Dr Mukiza thanked the government of Uganda for contributing 98 percent to fund the National Population and Housing Census 2024.
“This one is the first of its kind. The previous one of 2014, government-funded 75 percent and then partners funded 25 percent so now we are becoming self-sustaining, and this shows the strong interest and commitment the government of Uganda has in evidence-based planning and policy management,” he said.
“We want to thank you, Your Excellency, for your commitment. I always tell people that you are the biggest user of statistics in Uganda.”
He further noted that the census 2024 will help to evaluate the performance of the National Development Plan III (NDPIII) which will end Next Financial Year.
“It will also give us baseline data for NDPIV,” he said.
On his part, Dr. Albert Byamugisha, the Chairperson of the UBOS Board of Directors, disclosed that the UBOS Act No. 2 of June 11th, 1998, establishes the bureau as a principal data collecting and disseminating agency responsible for coordinating, monitoring and supervising the national statistical system.
“In line with this mandate, the bureau undertakes periodic surveys such as price surveys where we generate consumer price index and inflation rates, the Uganda National Household surveys where we generate poverty estimates, the National Labour force surveys where we generate unemployment rates and the Uganda Demographics Surveys among others. Regarding the censuses, the Bureau undertakes the National Population and Housing Census, the Census of Business Establishment, the Census of Agriculture and Aquaculture and the National Livestock Census,” he said.
He added: “Sensitisatisation of the masses about the Census and its benefits is starting henceforth. The Census creates a cordial understanding between Local and central government, Private sector, religious leaders and others.”
Mr. Byamugisha also commended the government under the wise leadership of President Museveni for championing this significant milestone of the 2024 census launch, approving the census activity and gazetting 9th May 2024 for the census night and also approving the funds for the census activities.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, expressed gratitude towards the development partners like the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and the World Bank that have supported the government of Uganda in implementing the statistical activities and are also involved in the 2024 census.
“I commend UBOS management and staff for they have always lived up to our expectations. Congratulations, UBOS!” Hon. Kasaija said.
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, thanked President Museveni for the support he has provided to enable the country to carry out the National Population and Housing Census 2024.
“Your Excellency, a census is a very important undertaking and it’s an age-old event. For Christians, if you read the Bible, there are very many incidents which are quoted in the Bible where censuses were carried out including the time when Jesus was born. So, we want to assure Ugandans that there’s nothing bad about the census; If you are counted it means the government will know that you are there, it will plan for you, and you will get better services. Therefore, we want to call upon Ugandans to participate in this exercise,” Dr. Baryomunsi urged.
On the other hand, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (Planning), Hon. Amos Lugoloobi, explained that the census is a statistical operation in which all units of interest are enumerated in accordance with the UBOS Act 1998.
“It is only in the census that one can obtain a detailed understanding of the entire population and its characteristics at the same time. The census is the main source of demographic and socio-economic statistics in any country, it collects information and produces indicators such as household-based data on population, on housing, on agriculture, micro and small enterprises as well as community-based data,” he said.
Hon. Lugoloobi noted that census gives the government a complete picture of a nation at a given time such as the number of people living in a specific locality and the conditions under which they live.
“The Census 2024 will be the 6th such exercise to be conducted since Uganda got independence in 1962. In particular, it will be the 3rd to be conducted by UBOS which was established by an Act of Parliament in 1998 and it will be the first paperless census.”
The representative of the UNFPA in Uganda, Ms. Gift Malunga, commended the Government of Uganda for prioritizing the 2024 National Population and Housing Census. This commitment, she said, is evident in the impressive track record of funding the majority of previous census undertakings.
“Notably, the government has pledged to cover a remarkable 91% of the cost for this upcoming census, demonstrating their unwavering dedication to this crucial national exercise. This stands in stark contrast to the previous two censuses in 2014 and 2002, where government funding still exceeded 80%. Such consistent and substantial financial support is truly commendable and sets a positive example for other nations,” Ms. Malunga said.
She furthermore commended the government’s bold embrace of technology and innovation saying, that by opting for a digital census, Uganda joins a growing trend across Africa and globally in leveraging modern tools to conduct this critical enumeration.
“This move underscores the government’s commitment to efficiency, accuracy, and transparency, ultimately leading to a more robust and reliable census outcome,” Malunga further noted.
She on behalf of the Development Partners reiterated the unwavering commitment to the success of the 2024 Uganda National Population and Housing Census.
The event was also attended by Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, and Members of Parliament, among other dignitaries.