The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has explained the mix-up in census data on religion and tribe in the recently released National Housing and Population Census 2024 Report.
The report released by Prime Minister Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja at Serena Hotel in Kampala on October 4, 2024, stated that in the line of Religious affiliation, Christians form the biggest portion of the population.
“8 out of 10 Ugandans are Christians. Catholics form the larger percentage at 37.4% followed by Anglicans at 30.0%. Pentecostals have increased to 14.7% from 11.1%,” the report read.
During a media breakfast gathering held at Kampala Serena Hotel on October 8, 2024, Dr Fred Ssenono, the Acting Deputy UBOS Executive Director, clarified that NO religion or Faith had a decline in its Faithfuls BUT rather all religions have an increase but some are growing at a decreasing rate.
Swapped data for tribes
Dr Ssenono said there was a human error which led to the swapped data during the printing and preparation of the statistics related to tribes.
“As a bureau, we apologise for this hiccup. There is no intention by the bureau to discredit any tribe and this is the reason we have rectified the data,” he noted.
He said the Uganda Bureau of statistics has an open door policy which aims at transparency of its activities including disclosure on national statistics. “We want to encourage the public to always seek clarification from us on any data that is shared.”
He said that contrary to false reports claiming the Bureau “cooked up census results”, they captured all tribes and have all their details.
“There was no intention to discredit other tribes, but there was only a swap or mismatch of data where right data was put on a wrong tribe.”
“Some 2014 figures had a swap while 2024 figures stand correct. In a broader lens, 2014 figures on Bakiga were for Acholi, Langi were for Bagisu, Bagisu were for Bakiga and 2014 figures on Acholi were for Langi,” he explained.
In his address to the media, UBOS Executive Director and Census Commissioner, Dr Chris Mukiza, said these mismatches and swaps had been sorted and that this would not affect the whole report.
“The rest of the census data is ok. The only issue was on tribes and religion. This shouldn’t affect the rest of the data because it is correct and will be used until the next census in 2034,” he said.
He acknowledged the human error in the preparation of the statistics but clarified that this should not be a basis for discrediting the whole report.
Dr Mukiza dismissed those calling for his resignation over this mistake, saying it is a minor reason to call him out when the rest of the census exercise was well executed in a timely manner.
“I will not resign because I’m sure I did a good job. Those calling for my resignation, I’m sorry, I will have to disappoint you.”
