The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has assured the public that their personal information will be protected during the upcoming 2024 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC). Dr. Chris Mukiza, the Executive Director of UBOS, emphasized that data collected from the population would be encrypted and safeguarded against unauthorized access.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, March 25, 2024, Dr. Mukiza explained the security measures put in place to ensure the confidentiality of the data.
“Our data from the field is encrypted. It is only the statisticians or the data validators who can decipher it. We have invested in robust data servers, processing, and storage systems that have been protected from potential hackers,” he stated.
Dr. Mukiza further emphasized that individual data would not be shared with anyone. “Everyone employed by UBOS undergoes a strict oath of secrecy. The data we collect is extremely confidential,” he reaffirmed.
The upcoming census aims to gather comprehensive information about the Ugandan population and their living conditions. Starting on May 9, 2024, UBOS intends to cover as many households as possible within a span of ten days. To facilitate this, the government has declared May 10, 2024, as a public holiday to encourage a smooth and paperless census process.
Aside from determining the country’s population size, the census also seeks to evaluate housing statistics. Dr. Mukiza highlighted the importance of understanding the living conditions of Ugandans and assessing progress made in socio-economic transformation. “In the previous census, we had a substantial number of people living in mud and wattle houses. Have we transformed? Has the number of such houses decreased or increased? These questions are crucial for monitoring our development as a nation,” he explained.
Uganda conducts a national census every ten years, with the last one taking place in 2014. The data collected during the census is significant for guiding planning, policy formulation, program implementation, and monitoring development progress in line with national goals and objectives.
The 2024 census will leverage digital technology to enhance efficiency and accuracy. By using modern digital tools, UBOS aims to collect, process, and disseminate demographic, social, and economic statistics in a timely manner, providing the government with accurate data for better decision-making.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched the NPHC 2024 activity on December 12, 2023, underscoring the importance of the census in enabling evidence-based policymaking and addressing the needs of the Ugandan population. As the reference night draws near on May 9, 2024, UBOS remains committed to upholding information protection standards to ensure the success and reliability of the census.
