Mukono, Uganda.
As Uganda gears up for its forthcoming national census, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has issued a vital plea to the public. With the imminent census days fast approaching, the UBOS emphasises the significant level of vigilance among citizens.
In particular, they are warning against individuals who may attempt to exploit the census process by posing as enumerators, especially during nighttime visits to households.
The household listing was launched on Tuesday at Mukono district headquarters. Household listing is a preliminary activity carried out before the national population and housing census, involving the recording of structures within a specific geographical area.
UBOS stated that this listing process will help determine the required number of enumerators for each locality during the census period.
According to Dr. Chris Ndatira Mukiza, the UBOS Executive Director, these cautionary advisory aims to safeguard the integrity of the census data collection process and ensure the accuracy of demographic information vital for planning and development.
The call for vigilance comes amidst concerns raised by the UBOS regarding potentially fraudulent activities that could compromise the integrity of the census.
Several reports have surfaced of unauthorised individuals falsely identifying themselves as census enumerators, attempting to gain access to homes under the guise of collecting data.
Such deceptive practices not only undermine the reliability of census results but also pose security risks to households.
He strongly advised residents to be cautious and check the identification of anyone claiming to be a census worker before allowing them into their homes or sharing personal information.
According to Mukiza, people with concealed agendas, wrongly interpret the words ‘Census Night’ to hoodwink residents to open up their houses and rob them of their properties in the wee hours.
“Census night is just simply used as a reference point for enumeration, therefore, there should be no one knocking at your door during night hours under the name of collecting data,” Mukiza noted.
Currently, 97 percent of the country’s structures have been listed according to Mukiza. The remaining percentage pertains to the three districts of Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso.
The 2024 national population and housing census is scheduled to commence on May 9, 2024. Notably, this census marks a significant shift as it will be conducted electronically, eliminating the need for enumerators to carry pens and files.
The government is expected to spend over Ugx137 billion to purchase tablets that will be used in the enumeration. Still, Ugx320.9 billion was allocated in this financial year’s budget for the census exercise.
Helen Namirembe Nviiri, the UBOS Director for Population and Social Statics, says enumerators shall be assigned communities based on the population of each area. This allocation ensures that the census exercise can be conducted within the planned timeframe.
She further elaborated that UBOS has devised a payment plan to offer UGX700,000 to parish supervisors and Ugx500,000 to each enumerator. However, the specifics regarding lunch and transport allowances are yet to be finalised.
Moreover, payments will be facilitated through mobile money transactions, with disbursements exclusively made to the telephone numbers of enumerators registered under their real names.
Fatumah Ndisaba Nabitaka, the Mukono Resident District Commissioner, and Chairperson LC5, Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, urged UBOS to enhance the sensitisation campaign regarding the entire census exercise.
They further stress the importance of addressing any biases and negative attitudes that people may hold towards the census.
Ndisaba highlights the significance of involving religious and cultural leaders in the sensitisation process before the enumeration date, recognising their role in fostering community trust and cooperation.
“Various people think the exercise is intended to mark their properties for revenue collection yet it comprises so many advantages including making their social and economic status known to the government before determining areas requiring empowerment,” Rev. Bakaluba noted.
END.
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