Uganda undertakes first-ever aquaculture census
UBOS public relations officer, underscored the agency’s mandate as the sole government body responsible for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of official statistics.
Nancy Agnes Anyango, the UBOS PRO addressing the media as Assistant CAO Denis Otto looks on. (Photos by Hudson Apunyo)
By Hudson Apunyo
Journalists @New Vision
________________
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has today started the country’s first-ever aquaculture census, in an initiative aimed at gathering crucial data to inform planning and policy development in the fisheries sector.
Speaking at a press briefing held in the Lira district boardroom, Nancy Agnes Anyango, UBOS public relations officer, underscored the agency’s mandate as the sole government body responsible for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of official statistics.
“We believe the leadership here understands the value of statistics. The data we collect plays a critical role in national planning and policy formulation,” Anyango said.
Focus on aquaculture
This month’s focus is the aquaculture census, targeting districts involved in fish farming and related activities.
“We shall collect data from all districts with fish farming activities. On my way here, I saw some fish ponds in Lira, which confirms that this district is engaged in aquaculture,” she added.
Enumerators will gather information on fish stocks, pond infrastructure, levels of expertise, and the types of fish species being farmed. The census will also assess production capacity, machinery and equipment in use, and the labour force involved in the aquaculture sector.
Anyango emphasised that UBOS will work closely with the Fisheries Department to ensure accurate data collection. “Government intends to streamline and empower the aquaculture sector, and our job is to provide the data foundation for that.”
Beatrice Ayuru (L ) and her daughter at their fish farm in Lira City West Division. The government is set to carry out national Aquaculture Census starting this week.
The census will cover selected districts identified by a technical team as having significant aquaculture activity, including Amolatar, Apac, and Lira. It is expected to run until the end of June.
Additional national surveys underway
UBOS is currently conducting three major statistical exercises. In addition to the Aquaculture Census, the agency is also carrying out the Baseline Education Census and the Labour Market Survey.
The Baseline Education Census—flagged off in April by the First Lady and Minister of Education, Mrs Janet Museveni—seeks to account for all formally registered schools across Uganda.
The exercise, which began in Kampala and Mukono, includes a headcount of all learners from nursery to tertiary institutions. It was temporarily paused due to school holidays and will resume when schools reopen.
“We are collecting learner-specific data, including full name, date of birth, sex, nationality, and learner identification number (LIN), especially for children in nursery to Primary Five,” Anyango noted.
Parents are urged to equip young children with accurate information to ease data collection.
In universities, however, the process will rely on administrative data rather than direct headcounts, given the institutions’ advanced data management capabilities.
Teachers and non-teaching staff will also be enumerated, with details on qualifications and roles captured to provide a comprehensive view of the education sector.
Ongoing labour market survey
The third activity, the Labour Market Survey, is a quarterly exercise aimed at tracking labour trends, identifying areas of demand, and assessing skill gaps across various sectors.
“This survey is vital for understanding how efficiently the labour market functions. We’re engaging human resource personnel in various institutions—from schools and hospitals to factories and sports facilities,” Anyango explained.
Support from local leadership
Lira assistant resident district commissioner, Proscovia Ayo, commended UBOS for the school survey, noting that it would help address discrepancies in pupil enrolment figures.
“We’ve had suspicions that some school heads inflate enrolment to gain more funding. This census will give us accurate data for better planning,” she said.
She also expressed optimism that the labour market survey would help the government tackle youth unemployment by providing concrete figures on school leavers and their employability.
On aquaculture, Ayo highlighted its importance in combating poverty and unemployment.
“Agriculture, including aquaculture, remains the backbone of our economy. We must not only encourage farming but also ensure that farmers can access markets for their produce,” she said.
Fish farmers ready for enumeration
Solomon Eyu, Lira district fisheries officer, confirmed that fish farmers in the area are prepared for the census.
“This is the first national aquaculture census, and it will equip us with essential data on fish farmers, production levels, types of fish, and the state of facilities. It will be of national interest.”
Eyu advocated for the establishment of regional UBOS offices to improve access to statistical data.
“Many planners make errors due to a lack of accurate data. Having UBOS offices closer to us would support better decision-making.”
The aquaculture census is expected to lay the foundation for more targeted investment and intervention in the sector, especially at a time when fish stocks in Uganda’s lakes are declining.
“Aquaculture is our future. If well supported and data-driven, it can sustainably feed the nation,” Eyu added.