The Executive Director and Chief Statistician of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Dr Chris N. Mukiza, has applauded President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for fostering an environment that supports quality data production and statistical independence in Uganda.
Dr Mukiza said the President’s leadership had strengthened the country’s statistical systems and enabled smooth operations at the Bureau through adequate government funding and institutional support.
“The President’s visionary leadership and stewardship have not only strengthened statistical independence but also facilitated smooth statistical operations through the provision of adequate resources, thereby ensuring timely statistical production and supporting national development in Uganda,” Dr Mukiza said.
He made the remarks while hosting a delegation from the Central Statistics Office of the Kingdom of Eswatini, which has been in Uganda for a week-long benchmarking exercise ahead of Eswatini’s National Population and Housing Census scheduled for 2027.
Dr Mukiza noted that Uganda had, over the years, built a strong statistical infrastructure and enhanced its human resource capacity, enabling the country to conduct major national statistical exercises successfully.
He highlighted the recently concluded National Population and Housing Census 2024 as one of Uganda’s biggest achievements, revealing that the exercise was funded up to 98 percent by the Government of Uganda, with only 2 percent support from development partners.
According to Dr Mukiza, Uganda’s census model was anchored on strong institutional structures designed to ensure comprehensive national coverage.
He advised the Eswatini delegation to establish clear census management systems capable of delivering accurate and inclusive results.
Using Uganda’s approach as an example, Dr Mukiza explained that the apex census body was the National Census Council, chaired by the Prime Minister.
The UBOS Executive Director also showcased Uganda’s tourism potential, highlighting attractions such as mountain gorillas, waterfalls, national parks and volcanic mountains.
He said the country’s natural beauty and hospitality would give the visiting delegates a memorable experience during their stay.
The five-member Eswatini delegation was led by Dlamini Marilyn Phumlile, who commended UBOS for sharing valuable expertise and practical lessons from Uganda’s census experience.
Ms Phumlile said Uganda’s extensive preparations ahead of Census 2024 provided important lessons for Eswatini as it prepares for its own census in 2027.
She specifically praised innovations introduced by UBOS, including the establishment of a 24-hour situation room for monitoring census data collection, the census dashboard, e-recruitment and e-payment systems, as well as the Bureau’s publicity and census management strategies.
Ms Phumlile also requested continued technical support from UBOS to help strengthen Eswatini’s preparations for the upcoming census exercise.
UBOS expressed confidence that the delegation had acquired valuable knowledge and practical experience that would support the successful implementation of Eswatini’s National Population and Housing Census 2027.
