National population census for 2014

By Raymond Baguma

Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has announced that it is to conduct the national population and housing census in August next year (2014).

The exercise will enable the collection of information useful for planning, allocating resources and monitoring development programmes, according to Godfrey Nabongo, the UBOS communications and public relations manager.

The enumeration has twice been marked by shifting of deadlines in the past. The exercise was to be held in 2012, but was postponed to this year 2013 due to lack of funds, and was postponed again to August 2014.

In a statement issued yesterday (Wednesday), Nabongo said this financial year 2013/14, Government has allocated sh50.4 billion to support preparatory activities ahead of the 2014 census.

Uganda last conducted a population and housing census in September 2002. And there is a shortage of up-to-date population data, with population planners currently relying on estimates.

Nabongo said the census provides the socio-economic profile of the population which includes information personal characteristics, migration, citizenship, education, economic activity, unemployment, disability, orphan-hood, population distribution, size and density; conditions of housing, sources of income and livelihood, household-based agricultural activity.

He added, “These indicators are key in monitoring and measuring service delivery initiatives to help in planning the required services for the right people and in the right places in the future.  The Population Census is also the sole source of a national sampling frame which serves as a basis for all house hold-based sample agriculture and socio-economic surveys.”

Nabongo said the National Security Information System that includes national identity cards, birth certificates and voter registration cannot replace the population and housing census.

“As the country continues to develop, reliable statistical data for planning and evaluation of development and service delivery programs will continue to be derived from the Population Census until such a time when the country will have developed and established a robust, integrated National Population Register that can be used to update census data; and until then, the Government of Uganda will continue to undertake Population Censuses,” he added.