Dr Mukiza: Reliable Statistics Key to Advancing Uganda’s Commercial Diplomacy

Abu Dhabi, UAE — The Executive Director of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Dr Chris Mukiza, has emphasised the pivotal role of accurate statistical recording and seamless data sharing in advancing Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) agenda.

Speaking during a high-level panel discussion on “Sustainable Production and Supply” at the ongoing ECD Workshop in Abu Dhabi, Dr Mukiza underscored that well-structured statistics are essential for evidence-based decision-making and strategic planning across Uganda’s diplomatic missions.

“Uganda’s missions abroad must be fully equipped with reliable, up-to-date data to support our goals in trade promotion, investment attraction, and technology transfer,” Dr Mukiza stated. “Accurate statistics form the backbone of any sustainable economic strategy.”

The three-day workshop, taking place from May 2 to 4, 2025, has brought together representatives from 12 Ugandan missions overseas. It aims to benchmark, evaluate, and accelerate the implementation of ECD initiatives before the end of the 2024/25 financial year.

ECD is a flagship policy under Uganda’s external engagement strategy, and this fiscal year, it has focused on four key areas: promoting trade and exports, attracting investment and tourism, facilitating remittances and driving science, technology, and knowledge transfer.

These focus areas are aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040 goal to grow its economy from $50 billion to $500 billion by the year 2040. The country’s strategy is anchored on key pillars such as agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development (including oil and gas), and technological innovation under the African Transformation Model of Statistics (ATMS).

Dr. Mukiza’s remarks come at a time when Uganda is working to strengthen its data ecosystems across sectors to enhance accountability, transparency, and global competitiveness. He urged government departments and foreign missions to prioritise statistics sharing as a strategic tool in positioning Uganda as a resilient, export-driven economy.

The workshop has been hailed as a timely intervention to harmonise Uganda’s diplomatic and economic efforts abroad and is expected to yield actionable strategies for the remainder of the financial year.