UBOS partners with kingdoms to bolster census data collection

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) is embarking on a crucial initiative to strengthen the accuracy and efficiency of national population censuses by partnering with cultural institutions across the country.

Recognizing the gaps and logistical challenges encountered in previous census exercises, UBOS Executive Director Dr. Chris Mukiza has urged kingdoms to systematically record births, deaths, and migration patterns within their jurisdictions. This move is intended to build a robust population register over time, which will serve as a foundational resource for future national censuses and evidence-based policy-making.

Recent Memoranda of Understanding have been signed with the Obwen’engo bwa Bugwe and Tieng Adhola kingdoms, joining existing partnerships with Buganda, Bunyoro, Busoga, and Tooro. These collaborations aim to decentralize statistical production, bringing data collection closer to the community level and ensuring the availability of timely and reliable demographic information.

Kingdom representatives have welcomed the initiative but also highlighted the need for adequate funding and resources to effectively implement data collection mechanisms. They stressed that improved data would empower cultural institutions to better plan for their populations, address issues like poverty and health, and support cultural preservation efforts.

UBOS has pledged technical support, including capacity building and statistical infrastructure development, to assist these cultural bodies in their data management efforts. The ultimate goal is to create a comprehensive and continuous flow of vital statistics that can significantly enhance Uganda’s planning and development strategies, with the next national census slated for 2034.

This initiative seeks to address shortcomings identified in the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, which recorded Uganda’s population at 45.9 million, according to the Daily Monitor.