By Felix Oketcho
Anew report titled “National Governance, Peace and Security Report 2024/2025,” conducted by Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicates that 89% of Ugandans know their rights.
“With respect to awareness of human rights nationwide 89% of the people 18 years and above are aware of their human rights,” Sharon Apio UBOS lead researcher said.
The survey covered demographic profiles of Ugandans aged 18 and above and total response rate of 86% whom women constituted response rate of 96%, while men response rate of 95%.
The findings were presented during the commemoration of African Statistics Day in Kampala under the theme: “Leveraging Innovations in Data and Statistics to Promote a Just, Peaceful, Inclusive and Prosperous Society for Africans.”
In education attainment, the report shows that majority of our population which is 18 years and above, have attained at least primary level of education followed by secondary at 26%. Then we have those who have never been to school,13%, and the tertiary at 9%.
According to Apio 28% of the respondents were discriminated against at work places citing Busoga (53.8%) and Lango (50.4%) as regions with the highest levels.
According to the report,public awareness on the right to seek justice remains high at 89%, although this varies by region, with Tooro at 98.8% and Karamoja at just 67.3%.
“We found that 44% of the people 18 and above are aware of institutions where to acquire legal services,only 15% were aware of institutions that offer free legal services within the sub-county,” Apio stated.
In terms of trust in justice institutions,the report indicated an increase in confidence across several bodies like Uganda Police Force rising from 70% in 2017 to 78% in 2024/25, while trust in the Administrator General’s Office jumped from 26% to 73%.
In her remarks UN Women Country Representative Dr. Paulina Chiwangu praised UBOS for producing data that strengthens gender-responsive planning.
Dr. Chiwangu highlighted UBOS’s progress in statistical innovation, saying:”UBoss has modernized its approach, ensuring greater efficiency, improved data quality, and the timely release of results.”
“The National Governance, Peace, and Security Survey provides us with an indispensable foundation for advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment,” she added