Uganda launched its 9th population census on Friday, following in the footsteps of neighboring countries like Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya, which conducted their own census exercises in the past five years. However, the commencement of Uganda’s census was marred by various challenges, including technical glitches, language barriers, and adverse weather conditions.
The census, with a budget of Ush333 billion ($88 million), aims to capture crucial demographic data over a 10-day period. Despite the allocation of a public holiday for the census, progress remained sluggish by Friday afternoon, prompting an apology from the census management team for the delays caused by technical issues with the Computer Aided Personal Interview (CAPI) machines, used for the first time in the country.
Dr. Chris Mukiza, the executive director of Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos), disclosed that 120,000 portable personal computers with touch screens were procured for the census, highlighting the country’s transition to digital data collection methods.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni emphasized the significance of the census during its launch at Kololo Independence Grounds, stressing its role in informing government planning and decision-making processes. The census seeks to answer critical questions about Uganda’s population, housing conditions, and service availability, facilitating the evaluation of the National Development Plan III (NDPIII) and informing the development of subsequent plans.
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Data collected from the census will be instrumental in identifying national priorities, distributing resources effectively, and implementing strategic development programs. The census will particularly focus on personal and household characteristics, labor market indicators, fertility rates, and housing conditions, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the country’s socio-economic landscape.
Ubos has adopted the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (Capi) system for data collection, enabling real-time data entry and precise GPS tracking to ensure data accuracy. The census aims to enumerate all individuals who spent the census night in Uganda, including Ugandans, foreigners, and diplomatic personnel.
Roadblocks have been set up on major highways and border points to count individuals using public transport and monitor cross-border movements. The data collection process will involve enumerators visiting households to conduct interviews using pre-designed questionnaires.
Despite the initial challenges, Uganda remains committed to conducting a successful census, with results expected to be released on December 24, 2024. The census represents a critical milestone in Uganda’s development journey, providing essential data for evidence-based policymaking and sustainable socio-economic progress.
