The Internal Security Organization (ISO) and the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) have assured Ugandans that they are ready to deliver the forthcoming national census, due in May 2024, successfully.
This was confirmed by the Deputy Director General of ISO, Col Emmy Katabazi, while addressing over 700 local government officials drawn from several districts, cities, and municipalities in the country on April 12, 2024.
The officials had completed a training conducted by UBOS at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala for the coming exercise.
Col Katabazi advised the officials to ensure that they gather effective data on Uganda’s population during the census so as to guide the country’s strategic planning for its citizens.
“As ISO, we take this national census exercise very seriously. I came here to reaffirm the commitment of patriotic people. Even without resources, if this exercise was given to us, we would do it. When a country doesn’t plan well, the effect comes back to the local person,” Col Katabazi said.
He noted that the data to be obtained from the exercise will not only be for national planning but also to guide the work of security to ensure Uganda is safe.
“Comrades, this country shall not develop if we don’t put in our personal commitment; therefore, I came to address you knowing that you are all patriots. Effective data facilitates and guides the development of the country through planning,” Col Katabazi stressed.
Katabazi confirmed that ISO has already instructed all personnel, including Regional Internal Security Officers (RISOs), District Internal Security Officers (DISOs), and Gombola Internal Security Officers (GISOs), to fully participate in the exercise for effective results.
“We have already issued communications that all our vehicles are ready and serviced, just waiting to join the exercise. I promise the country that our officers are under instruction to work with you during the exercise,” Col Katabazi noted.
Chris Mukiza, the Executive Director of UBOS, noted that the census will be digitized, including payments by the enumerators, to eliminate the costs of middlemen.
He said that the training was meant to equip the officials with knowledge on how to deliver an effective census in 2024 and also to guide them on how to train other lower officials, including enumerators.
“The exercise will provide the nation with enough and vast information to facilitate effective national planning,” Mukiza said.
Uganda is set to carry out its 6th national population census from May 9–10, 2024. More than 120,000 enumerators will be recruited.
He emphasized that the officials should recruit only those with smartphones, national IDs, and mobile money numbers registered in their names, among others, to work with during the exercise.
“All the people we are going to work with must have mobile money numbers registered in their names, not those of their relatives, friends, or neighbors. If you don’t have a number registered in your name, we shall not pay you through any other person’s number,” Mukiza emphasized.
He added that each enumerator is expected to count 50 to 80 households and that preparation for the census is almost hitting 100%.
