The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has formally rejected the launch of the National Data Strategy by the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance (MoICT&NG), declaring the initiative unlawful and redundant.
“The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has with great concern learnt of the launch of a “National Data Strategy” by the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance (MoICT&NG).
The so-called “National Data Strategy” breaches the provisions of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) Act 1998, Cap 333. The Act provides for establishment of the Bureau as the principal data collecting and disseminating Agency responsible for coordinating, monitoring and supervision of the National Statistical System,”apress statement reads.
The UBOS Act mandates the Bureau as the Agency responsible for data and statistical objects including but not limited to provide high-quality central statistics information services,promote standardization in the collection, analysis and publication of statistics to ensure uniformity in quality, adequacy of courage and reliability of statistics information and review all initiatives to collect data at the national and local government levels and approving instruments developed for data collection including Census frames, Registers, sample designs and questionnaires.
UBOS act further mandates the agency to organize and maintain a central depository of statistical reports, publications, documents and data from both within and outside Uganda.
UBOS maintains that the Ministry of ICT holds no legal mandate to spearhead statistical matters. The Bureau reassures the public of its continuous commitment to delivering high-quality central statistics services for evidence-based national planning and policy formulation.
“UBOS informs the public that the MoICT&NG has no legal mandate to spearhead matters incidental to statistics. That mandate is vested with the Uganda Bureau of Statistics. The launch of that “National Data Strategy” is an existential threat to the UBOS Act and is, therefore, illegal, irregular, redundant and adds no value to the National Statistical System,” adds the statement.
The public is further informed that the areas the impugned “National Data Strategy” purportedly intends to address are already comprehensively catered for under the UBOS Act, the Plan for National Statistics Development which covers the entire National Statistical System, the UBOS Strategic Plan and the Data Quality Assessment Framework.
The Public is strongly advised to treat the impugned “National Data Strategy’’ recently launched by the MoICT&NG with the utmost contempt it deserves.
UBOS remains steadfast and committed to providing high-quality central statistics services for evidencebased planning, policy formulation and decision making.
The Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Joyce Nabossa Ssebugwawo, officially launched Uganda’s five-year National Data Strategy (NDS) under the theme “Unlocking the Power of Data for Uganda’s Transformation”.
The strategy aims to streamline how government bodies collect, secure, and share public information while laying the foundations for the nation’s upcoming National AI Strategy. Over the next five years, the initiative will require UGX 1.6 trillion in funding. The state will provide UGX 1.2 trillion, with the rest generated through private sector partnerships, development partners, and commercialized value-added data services.
Despite digital rumors or misinterpretations suggesting conflict between regulatory bodies, the strategy was built on extensive stakeholder engagement, aligned with the country’s Digital Uganda Vision.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics the nation’s principal data collection agency, operates fully within its independent mandate under the Ministry of Finance to complement rather than conflict with the new ICT framework.
