In a remarkable move aimed to be global statistics agency in Africa, Uganda Bureau of Statistics has hosted adelegation of 13 officials from the National Population Council (NPC) under the Office of the Namibian President led by Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Roux L. Sampati in Uganda courtesy of Executive Director of Uganda Bureau of Statistics during their Bench Marking visit.
The delegation is in Uganda on a seven-day benchmarkingvisit under the Twende Mbele program in the office of the Prime Minister to draw lessons from UBOS on how it plans, implements and monitors surveys, Censuses and supervises the National Statistical System (NSS).
Dr. Chris Mukiza the Bureau’s Executive Director appreciated the delegation for choosing to visit UBOS which is atestament to the Bureau’s best practices in coordination of the National Statistical System.
He mentioned that these best practices enabled the Bureau to deliver on a successful digital Census disseminating results within Four months after enumeration.
The Bureau also ensured that all the data disseminated is easily accessible by all following the fundamental principles that govern Statistics.
He revealed that the Bureau is soon to conduct the Education Census so that all aspects regarding learners are known to inform planning in the Education Sector.
Dr. Mukiza noted that the Bureau generates data from mainly two data sources which are Surveys and Censuses as well as administrative data. However, he also hinted at the Bureau’s plan to engage in big data mining.
In addition, the Bureau is guided by the Plan for National Statistical Development (PSND) framework whose purpose is to develop an integrated, harmonized, coordinated and coherent National Statistical System (NSS) which ensures unified data production processes and thus informs the strategic plan for the Bureau.
Florence Mbabazi, the Director Monitoring and Evaluation at the Office of the Prime Minister, extended her appreciation to Dr. Mukiza for responding positively to their request for this visit. In her remarks, she was glad that UBOS hasconsistently been very instrumental in providing quality statistics that facilitates National Development.
She also emphasized that this benchmarking visit is critical in supporting the delegation towards planning, budgeting, performance assessment and Statistical understanding of Uganda among others.
The Head of Delegation Roux L. Sampati was glad that the Bureau has given them an opportunity to learn more on bridging the data gaps that exist in their country and appreciated the Twende Mbele program a collaboration between Uganda and South Africa for making the benchmarking visit possible.
Mr. Sampati noted that data fuels the Monitoring and Evaluation systems of entities at all levels and thus they look forward to adopting the best practices of planning, budgeting and performance assessment from Uganda.
