The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has formalized landmark partnerships with the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom and the Umukuuka wa Bugisu cultural institution, establishing dedicated statistics units within their structures.
The initiative aims to formally integrate vital community-level data directly into Uganda’s National Statistical System.
Dr. Chris Mukiza, UBOS Executive Director, described the collaboration as essential to bridging the gap between data producers and users.
“These institutions are already collecting data about their people, their traditions, their resources,” Dr. Mukiza said. “What we’re doing is creating a formal framework to ensure that data is structured, analyzed, and ultimately used to improve lives.”
Mukiza stressed that as part of the capacity-building effort under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), UBOS will equip the cultural statistics units with office furniture, three desktop computers, and an undisclosed number of computer tablets.
UBOS will also provide training and attach its statisticians to the unit to avoid duplicating efforts.
Looking forwarding Mukiza pledged to upgrade UBOS existing Consumer Price Index center in Mbale City into a permanent regional office to act as a base for capacity development.
The Umukuuka wa Bugisu Information, Media and Communications Minister, Alfred Geresom Musamali, explained that the new unit will produce evidence-based data for local policy.
Among the specific information the institution plans to track are the number of Bagisu males who undergo the flagship cultural rite of circumcision each season and the rate of harvesting and consumption of bamboo shoots (kamalea) from Mount Elgon to ensure environmental sustainability.
The importance of accurate, localized data was recently underscored by revised figures from the 2024 National Population and Housing Census. Updated data shows the Bagisu population has grown from approximately 1.65 million in 2014 to over 2.09 million in 2024, and the Banyoro population increased from 966,976 to 1.22 million during the same period.
Dr. Mukiza noted that these corrections, which followed initial census errors, highlight the urgent need for better representation. “If we don’t involve cultural institutions in data collection and verification, we risk under-representing key communities,” he said.
For the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, the partnership realizes a journey that began in 2020.
Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga Ateenyi said the new unit will help align the kingdom’s development efforts with national frameworks like Uganda Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With the MoUs signed, both cultural institutions and UBOS will immediately begin developing customized statistical strategic plans.
Dr. Mukiza emphasized the long-term vision, stating, “This is about making sure that every Ugandan, no matter where they come from, is seen, counted, and planned for.” He called on other cultural institutions to join the national data system, urging, “No more data lying idle. We must use it to develop our people.”
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) Act, 1998 provides for the development and maintenance of a National Statistical System (NSS) to ensure collection, analysis and publication of integrated, relevant, reliable and timely statistical information. It established the Bureau as the coordinating, monitoring and supervisory body for the National Statistical System.
In addition to being the source of official statistical information, the Bureau is responsible for providing high quality central statistics information services,promoting standardisation in the collection, analysis and publication of statistics to ensure uniformity in quality, adequacy of coverage and reliability of statistics information and providing guidance, training and other assistance as may be required to other users and providers of statistics.