UBOS extends census exercise to May 20th in Kampala, Wakiso due to messy start
By Busein Samilu
The Uganda National Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has announced one-day extension of the census exercise in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono to May 20th.
Speaking to journalists in Kampala this afternoon Dr Mukiza while overseeing the enumeration of Speaker of Parliament Anita Among’s household, UBOS Executive Director Dr Chris Mukiza noted that enumerators in these areas grappled with faulty tablets which slowed down the process.
He says the one day extension is to enable the affected enumerators cover lost time.
By the press time, Dr Mukiza reveals that so far, a total of 5.7 million have been counted since the 11th National Housing and Population (NHPC) exercise kicked off on Friday.
Speaking after the exercise, Speaker Among urged UBOS to ensure that enumerators capture accurate data because it is crucial for planning and budgeting processes.
” I have been waiting since the night of 10th up to today sitting at home, so i was asking myself if i am sited here waiting up to now how many other people are also waiting you need to make sure your team move faster for people to be registered because i think the speed is not good enough”, Speaker Among said.
Meanwhile, the census exercise now in its third day, started on a rather slow pace in some parts of the country due to various reasons.
In the Eastern region the exercise was marred by anomalies including faulty enumeration devices.
At Lumumba Cell Division in Mbale City, the area enumerator identified as Shakuru Mafabi says he has only been able to handle a handful of households.
He is one of the over 20,000 enumerators across the country who have reported gadget failures.
Other enumerators, especially in hard-to-reach areas have complained of poor network, lack of reflector jackets, and poor facilitation.
However, Hassan Mabberi, the Census supervisor south Central ward industrial division tells KFM that despite the hurdles, they are determined to deliver.
The 2024 NHPC exercise is running until May 19th under the theme; It matters to be counted”.
