As part of Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) mandate to support statistical data collection among Ministries ,Departments and Agencies UBOS has announced plans to distribute Tablets to various insititutions namely Inter- Religious Council members, National Planning Authority, Economic Policy Research Centre , Presidential CEO forum, Bugisu kingdom, Bunyoro Kitara kingdom and Rwenzururu Kingdom.
UBOS Senior Communiication Manager Didacus Okoth said this strategic partnership marks an important step in strengthening collaboration between UBOS, Inter – religious Council and several Cultural institutions in promoting data production, statistical development, and evidence-based planning under the Fourth Plan for National Statistical Development (PNSD IV).
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) conducted its first fully digital (scientific) National Population and Housing Census from May 10–19, 2024 and government procured approximately 120,000 to 122,026 tablets for data collection, which were subsequently distributed to various government agencies, including the Electoral Commission and for the Parish Development
However after the census exercise UBOS transferred over 60,000 tablets to the Ministry of ICT for use by the Electoral Commission, NIRA, and other agencies.
In the same spirit on June 30, 2025, as part of UBOS’ broader initiative to distribute a total of 3,025 tablets to ten government-funded institutions of higher learning,700 tablets were handed over Makerere University Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and Mr. Simon Kizito, the Deputy University Secretary among other Vice Chancellors and accounting officers.
Dr. Allen Kabagenyi, a UBOS Board Director, who coordinated the distribution of the tablets to the respective 10 Public universities, underscored the significance of inter-institutional collaboration in fostering a data-literate and innovative generation.
“This initiative is a testament to the power of partnerships between public institutions. In a country like Uganda, with one of the youngest populations globally, equipping our future leaders with the right tools is critical to achieving both national and global development goals,” she remarked.
In his remarks during the event, UBOS Executive Director Dr. Chris Mukiza explained that their redistribution marks the beginning of the Bureau’s post-census utilization strategy.
“We acquired 120,000 tablets to conduct the census, and as we committed earlier, we are ensuring that these resources continue to serve the country even after the census,” said Dr. Mukiza.
“Our expectation is that these tablets will strengthen data collection, teaching, and research in universities and higher institutions. We want to see a culture where statistics are not only produced but also actively used to influence development outcomes.”he added.
Dr. Mukiza encouraged academic institutions to take full advantage of the extensive data available at UBOS, emphasizing that greater use of statistical resources will translate into more impactful research and policy interventions.
