Kampala, Uganda | The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has donated 4,050 census tablets and six computers to selected religious, cultural and government institutions in a move aimed at strengthening the production and use of quality administrative data across the country.
The devices, which were used during the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, have been reallocated under UBOS’ post-census utilisation strategy to support data collection, management and reporting within institutions that form part of the National Statistical System (NSS).
The beneficiary institutions include the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), National Planning Authority (NPA), Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), Presidential CEO Forum (PCF), Bugisu Kingdom, Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and the Rwenzururu Kingdom.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, UBOS Executive Director Dr. Chris N. Mukiza said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to maximising the value of public investments through effective utilisation of census equipment.
He explained that the government had invested heavily in acquiring the devices and that, under a carefully implemented post-utilisation strategy, UBOS is redeploying them to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen administrative data systems.
Dr. Mukiza further assured the beneficiaries that the equipment is still in good working condition and urged them to use it mainly for statutory and administrative data purposes to strengthen data collection, analysis, dissemination, and evidence-based policy decision-making.
He noted that the partnership marked a significant step in reinforcing collaboration between UBOS, faith-based organisations, cultural institutions, and planning bodies within the NSS.
Dr. Mukiza also challenged religious leaders to encourage their followers to engage in productive work as a pathway to improved livelihoods, stressing that prayer alone could not improve people’s lives without hard work and personal development.
He further explained that the tablets would support the collection of administrative data to improve planning for Uganda’s more than 26,730 Born Again churches across the country.
According to him, the data would help policymakers understand development gaps, including why countries with fewer churches tend to be more economically prosperous than those with many places of worship.
UBOS said the redistribution of the devices is part of its broader strategy to strengthen the National Statistical System through partnerships that promote the generation and use of reliable data for national development planning.