Alfred Geresom Musamali, Publicity and Advocacy Advisor of the National Population and Housing Census 2024, has explained delays that marred the first day of the National Housing and Population Census 2024.
Reports of delays from different parts of the country pointed to technical issues in operating the tablets and a lack of Local Council guides, among others.
Musamali apologised for the delay, saying this in certain places was caused by technical challenges in the Computer Aided Personal Interview (CAPI) machines “we are using for the first time to collect the data”.
According to him, some enumerators are also facing logging-in challenges because the technology is new.
“Besides, there are some machines that somehow slipped through the process without the relevant software being properly installed. The consolation, though, is that we are working round the clock to overcome all these challenges.”
He said that since they have two weekend days ahead during which many respondents may still remain at home to be counted so, it is not yet too late.
“But in case that is still not possible kindly empower any responsible and knowledgeable person remaining at home, such as the secondary school student on holiday, to provide us with the information. Once again, we thank you for your enthusiasm but request for your further patience,” he noted.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) also posted on its X platform saying it was working around the clock to handle any challenges that are arising.
“The process has 10 days running and we assure Ugandans it will be completed successfully,” UBOS said.
Political leaders enumerated
President Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, were among the first to be counted.
They spared time to answer Census questions on their household Friday, May 10, 2024, at State Lodge, Nakasero.
The Vice President of Uganda, H.E Jessica Alupo, and her family also successfully completed the enumeration exercise at her village Oigo Imomwa, Ongongoja Sub County, Katakwi district.
Prime Minister Rt. Hon Robinah Nabbanja was also duly counted.
She has emphasised the need for evidence-based planning which will be made possible through statistics gained from the census.
Cultural leaders
The King of the Jopadhola, Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor, has taken part in the enumeration exercise this morning.
The 98-year-old Kwar Adhola has participated in all the census exercises post-independence he says.
“We thank all the cultural institutions for the support rendered,” said UBOS.
Iteso cultural leader, Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeilenge, also took part in the census exercise and has been counted.
He urged other leaders and all Ugandans to embrace the Census.
Religious leaders
Earlier, Edbert Oyesiga, the Director of Internal Audit at the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), conducted the census of His Grace Lambert Beinomugisha, the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, at his home in Nyamitanga Cathedral, Mbarara city.
Hellen Nviiri, the UBOS Principal statistician, enumerated Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere of Kampala Diocese at his Rubaga residence.
The Bishop of the Diocese of Kigezi diocese, the Rt. Rev. Bishop, Gaddie Akanjuna, was the first person to be enumerated.
The enumeration exercise at Luzira prison went on smoothly.
“No one will be left behind as we strive to have evidence-based planning. Participating in a census is a civic duty because it helps ensure good funding for communities as well informed decision-making.”
