The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has officially confirmed that Uganda’s National Population and Housing Census will commence on May 10, 2024. The announcement was made during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Center.
Baryomunsi disclosed that the Cabinet, following extensive consultations with the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos), has decided to postpone the census, originally planned for August 24-25, to the following year. However, he did not elaborate on the specific reasons behind this postponement.
The Minister also revealed that May 10, 2024, will be declared a public holiday to facilitate the census process.
“We declared that day, 10th of May, as a public holiday. We shall still announce towards the time of the census, but we took this decision as Cabinet. The census shall be carried out beginning on the 10th of May 2024” he said
He explained that the methodology employed for the census will be the “de facto” method. This approach involves using a specific night as the reference point for counting individuals who were present within Uganda’s borders on that night.
The “de facto” method of counting will span a 10-day period, from the night of May 9 to May 10, 2024, ensuring an accurate and comprehensive population count.
“We mark one night as a reference point, and then we count people who spent the night in Uganda on that night. That’s the method which is going to be used. It’s called the de facto method of carrying out the census” he added
In an effort to expedite data collection and ensure a prompt release of results, the census will adopt digital technology. Enumerators will be equipped with digital devices, departing from the traditional paper-based survey methods.
The delay in the census was attributed to funding challenges, with the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos) requiring Shs132 billion for the procurement of tablets to be used in the census. However, funding has now been secured from both the Ministry of Finance and the World Bank, totaling $10 million (approximately Shs3.7 billion).
The United Nations will oversee the procurement of tablets directly from manufacturers, as part of their support to African countries in conducting censuses efficiently.
This rescheduled census is expected to provide essential demographic and housing data to inform national planning and policy decisions in Uganda.
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