Uganda is set to conduct the National Population and Housing Census 2024, with the reference night being May 9, 2024. The census will take place over ten days, from May 9 to May 19, 2024.

The ruling party, NRM, has put out messages to all Ugandans to be part of the national exercise, which will not only estimate the population of Ugandans but also give other relevant information about Ugandans, like income levels and other important information.

However, key opposition leaders are biting the hand that feeds them.

There has been total silence from key opposition leaders in regards to sensitizing and telling their supporters and Ugandans at large to make sure they are counted in the census.

For the key opposition political party leaders to remain silent amidst this important national exercise, it shows how they are not very concerned about the outcome of the census, yet politically, they will need the figures from the census to set targets for how they can reach these numbers in search of votes in the coming 2026 election and also want to know the social standards of many Ugandans before engaging them in the next elections.

As opposition leaders, it is paramount to support this exercise so that the more the people embrace it, the closer the estimated figures are, and this correct information could be vital when campaigning in the next election or even after they could use the same population statistics to challenge cases where they think there was election fraud where the number of voters exceeded the number of people in that given area according to census statistics.

The same information from UBOS could even help political parties compare registered voters of a given constituency with the updated number of people of voting age in the same area, whether registered or not, and this could push them to go and get registered to vote in the next 2026 election.

Equally important, embracing the Census 2024 is key for political parties because, from the Census, one will be able to know which areas or regions are lagging behind in terms of development or service delivery. This information would be key in the packaging of manifestos tailored to different areas according to their needs.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CENSUS

Uganda holds a census every 10 years, and the last one was carried out in 2014.

The census figures play a critical role in guiding planning, policy formulation, and program implementation, as well as monitoring development progress in line with national goals and objectives.

According to Dr. Chris Mukiza, the Executive Director of Uganda Bureau of statistics (UBOS) the Census 2024 is to help the government plan for its people.

“The overall objective of the National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) 2024 is to provide benchmark information on the spatial population distribution, age, and sex structure, as well as other key socio-economic and demographic characteristics,” Mukiza said.

The population census is an activity that benefits all those interested in leadership and governance since its information is vital to political promises and service delivery.