First Lady Launches Baseline Education Census to Improve Sector Statistics

JINJA – The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, has launched the Baseline Education Census (BEC) at the Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja.

The initiative aims to address the challenge of unreliable education sector statistics across Uganda.

“I am glad to inform you that the challenge of unreliable education sector statistics will soon be solved,” Hon. Janet Museveni announced at the launch event.

“The UBOS enumerators will collect data at all levels of education establishments, including pre-primary, primary, secondary, vocational, and tertiary institutions nationwide.”

The census will begin in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (KMPA), covering Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso districts, starting on April 7, 2025. Upon completion in KMPA, the exercise will be rolled out to other regions of the country.

Hon. Museveni urged all heads of education institutions and local government authorities to fully support and cooperate with the enumerators to ensure the success of the exercise.

Speaking on behalf of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Ms. Hellen Nviri, the Director of Population and Social Statistics, confirmed that the Bureau has already commenced training enumerators who will be deployed in Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso.

“The Bureau will cover all government and private education establishments in the country, estimated at 76,000,” Ms. Nviri stated.

“We will use tablets to collect data, which will enhance accuracy, efficiency, and timely dissemination of education statistics—ensuring data-driven decisions to facilitate a quality education system in Uganda.”

Ms. Nviri also called upon parents to support the exercise by ensuring that learners provide accurate information, including date of birth, National ID Number (NIN), and Learners’ Identification Number (LIN), to aid in precise data collection.

She further reassured the public that all information gathered during the exercise would remain confidential and be used solely for statistical purposes.

The Baseline Education Census is expected to provide critical data that will help policymakers and stakeholders enhance planning and decision-making in the education sector, ultimately improving the quality of education in Uganda.