KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has handed over 4,050 tablets and six computers to cultural and religious institutions, alongside select government agencies, in a major post-census equipment redeployment.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The gadgets, part of those used during the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, were officially presented during a ceremony in Kampala aimed at strengthening data collection, management, and evidence-based planning.
The Inter-Religious Council of Uganda received the lion’s share, 3,050 tablets and three computers, in what UBOS described as a strategic partnership to deepen collaboration within the National Statistical System.
Speaking at the handover, Dr. Chris N. Mukiza, Executive Director of UBOS, urged beneficiaries to deploy the devices for research and economic development, extending their utility far beyond traditional functions.
He confirmed the devices remain in excellent working order and encouraged religious leaders to use them for administrative data purposes to enhance collection, analysis, and evidence-based policy.
“I confirm the devices are in excellent condition. I urge leaders to deploy them for administrative data to strengthen analysis, dissemination and evidence-based policy. Prayer alone will not lift communities; we must encourage people to work hard,” Dr. Mukiza emphasised.
Dr. Mukiza further revealed that the tablets would support administrative data collection to aid planning for Uganda’s 26,730 registered Born Again churches and help answer why a country with many churches remains poor while nations with fewer churches are richer.
The donation marks the second batch of post-census redeployments, following the first lot issued to public universities, charitable organisations, and local governments through the Ministry of ICT.
Dr. Rogers Matte, Director for Research, Development and Performance at the National Planning Authority, welcomed the initiative as Uganda implements the Fourth National Development Plan, stressing that planning must be evidence-based.
He noted that data collection, analysis and utilisation enable the Authority to set better targets and monitor progress, adding that the tools will strengthen data management across institutions and reinforce the National Statistical System.
“Planning has to be evidence-based. Data collection, analysis, and utilisation enable the Authority to set better targets and monitor progress effectively. These tools will strengthen data management across institutions and reinforce the overall National Statistical System,” Dr. Matte said.
Through its Directorate of Methodology and Statistical Coordination Services, UBOS will continue engaging beneficiary institutions to develop workable Statistical Sector Strategic Plans, complete with clear periodic inputs and outputs across the statistical value chain.
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