The Executive Director of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Chris Mukiza, has assured the public that households and individuals yet to be enumerated will be covered before the conclusion of the census exercise, which is set to end on Sunday at 11:59pm.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Uganda Media Center, Mukiza reported that as of Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 60.2 percent of the targeted households had been successfully counted and their data fed into the system. This leaves approximately 40 percent of households to be enumerated in the remaining four days.
“This means we have about 40 percent of the remaining households to be counted in the last four days.” he assured
Mukiza acknowledged several challenges encountered by the statistics body since the start of the census exercise on May 9, 2024.
He highlighted that on the first day, there were issues with tablet malfunctions affecting 20,000 out of 120,000 enumerators, preventing them from accessing the UBOS portal to conduct the exercise. Additionally, some enumeration areas were reportedly missing from the system as reported by local governments.
However, Mukiza reassured that these challenges have been resolved, and the enumeration exercise is progressing smoothly across the country.
“Only 20,000 enumerators out of the 120,000 enumerators failed to log in due to lack of access credentials. The second challenge was the missing enumeration areas in the system as reported by the local government.” he noted
Addressing concerns about delayed training allowances for enumerators and supervisors, Mukiza explained that payments have been made to enumerators in 63 districts where their names were uploaded on the recruitment portal. Enumerators will receive 50,000 shillings per day, and supervisors will receive 60,000 shillings per day, totaling 500,000 shillings and 600,000 shillings, respectively, for a period of 10 days.
Mukiza emphasized that all allowances are directly deposited into participants’ mobile phones through the e-cash system.
“All have received their money directly on their mobile phones as provided, the local governments that are yet to submit the names for the enumerators and supervisors have been asked to do so immediately to enable the bureau process the training allowances “he stated
Adding that: “The enumerator guides including LC chairpersons and their designates will be paid according to the prescribed rates for each given area and all allowances are wired directly to the mobile phones.”
Furthermore, Mukiza mentioned efforts to overcome language barriers by translating questionnaires into 21 languages. Enumerators are expected to conduct interviews in the language best understood by each household to ensure accurate data collection.
“Therefore enumerators are expected to interview people in the language best understood by a particular household and all persons should be enumerated and all questions should be asked and responded to.” he added
Mukiza also expressed condolences to the families of two enumerators who lost their lives during the exercise. Emmanuel Saali from Najera B was attacked and beaten by a gang on his way home after enumeration, while Tibihwa Annet from Namayingo district passed away after falling ill.
Despite these challenges, UBOS remains committed to completing the census exercise within the stipulated time frame and ensuring accurate and comprehensive data collection for planning and development purposes.
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