The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) will conduct the National Population Census starting the night of 10th May 2024. Census enumeration will last 10 days until 19th May. The census figures or data play a critical role in guiding planning, policy formulation, and program implementation as well as monitoring development progress in line with the national goals and objectives.
This article responds to some of the frequently asked questions about the Census. The responses were compiled by UBOS.
What is a Population Census?
A population Census is the process of counting all persons within the territorial boundaries of a given state at a given period of time. The count captures both the numbers and the characteristics of the persons. Of recent, Population Censuses are also used for capturing the housing conditions of the people, hence the naming of the National Population and Housing Census (NPHC).
Is the census for only Ugandan citizens?
The census is about all persons (Ugandans and non- Ugandans, including refugees) who will have spent the night in the boundaries of this country on the ‘Census Night’. The census questionnaire will take the nationality of an individual as stated by the respondent.
How often is a National Population and Housing Census carried out in Uganda?
- In Uganda, a Census is normally carried out after every 10 years. Most important to note is that:
- The 2024 Census is the 11th Census to be carried out in Uganda.
- 6th post – Independence Census.
- 3rd Census to be undertaken by UBOS.
- 1st digital / paperless census to be conducted in Uganda.
Why should we carry out a Census?
A Census is carried out to generate benchmark data for planning at the national and lower levels. Government needs an accurate count of the population to keep track of the following aspects:
- How many people are living in Uganda; and what are their demographic characteristics such as their age, sex, education, etc.
- 2 Where the people live such as in the Districts, Urban, semi- Urban or Rural areas.
- How the people live such as, in permanent or semi-permanent or temporary housing units and other dwelling characteristics such as lighting sources and cooking utensils, etc.
- D. What the people own such as, assets i.e vehicles, bicycles, television, radios, etc.
- Where the people access basic social services from; for instance, the distance to the nearest school, tarmac road, police station, health facility, etc.
Monitoring of the above aspects also helps in evaluating the efficiency of government policies at both local and central government levels; and informs remedial interventions to close the gaps going forward.
When does Census enumeration begin?
The night of 9/10th May 2024 has been gazetted as the Census Night. The Census Night is the reference night for the 2024 National Population and Housing Census. The 10th of May 2024, will be the first day of enumeration and has been gazetted as a national public holiday by government of Uganda.
Do I have to stay home on the days of Census enumeration?
No, you do not have to stay home on the Census enumeration dates. Data about you will be captured from where you spent the census night. HOWEVER, the person who is left at home should be knowledgeable to respond to all the Census questions. In the event that no one is found at home, the enumerator will return at another time / day during the Census enumeration period.
What have you done to make it easier to respond to the Census questions?
In the post-independence period, Uganda has conducted Population Censuses in 1969, 1980, 1991, 2002 and 2014. The Census 2024 is associated with improvements both in the process and products generated. Questions are made shorter and simpler to understand. The questionnaire is filled in by an enumerator who will use an electronic gadget (tablet) to collect and send data to the central processing Centre housed at the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
How long does it take to complete the Census questionnaire?
The time it takes for a questionnaire to be completed varies form household to household and from enumerator to enumerator. However, under normal circumstances, a questionnaire can be completed between 45 minutes and one hour.
How is the privacy of respondents protected?
The UBOS ACT of 1998 provides for confidentiality on all data collected from any respondent. All persons carrying out a census exercise must therefore swear an oath of secrecy, to ensure that the information collected is used purely for statistical purposes.
Who is enumerated during census?
All persons who will spend the Census Night in the boundaries of Uganda whether citizens or not, even refugees, will be enumerated and data captured.
What happens if I do not respond?
Although the law makes it a crime not to answer the census questions, and a fine can be imposed in this case, UBOS views this approach as a last resort. Rather than emphasizing or seeking the imposition of penalties, we encourage response by explaining the importance of the questions we ask and how the information benefits the community.
Is personal census data shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Internal Revenue Service, courts or the police?
No, individual census records are not shared with anyone, including government agencies or private organizations. It is against the law for the Census Bureau to give personally identifiable information about an individual to any other individual or agency.
Why do we have a census night and yet the Census will take 10 days?
Is the enumeration going to be done at night? There will be no counting at night; the ‘Census Night’ is only a reference point. Enumeration will take place during day but we will be asking for the persons that slept at a given household on the ‘Census Night’. However, since we cannot reach all the households in Uganda in one day, the enumeration will take ten days i.e from 10th – 19th May 2024.
How will you enumerate those people who will spend the Census Night in transit?
There will be a special questionnaire to cater for the people in transit, for instance, trailer drivers, taxi drivers, airport passengers among others. Technically, these categories are referred to as the “floating” population.
Do I get paid when I accept to be enumerated?
No, your participation is required by law. There is no monetary benefit in being enumerated. It is a constitutional obligation of every person who will be in the boundaries of this country on the Census Night.
Will Ugandans abroad participate in the Census?
Uganda opted to conduct a de-facto Census, and therefore Ugandans in the diaspora are automatically excluded. In a de-facto census, every person should be identified uniquely as a resident in one place but where they happen to be on the census night.
Will the borders be closed during the Census enumeration period?
No, the borders of this country will not be closed during census, because we have a census reference night to capture only the people that will have spent the night in Uganda’s boundaries therefore people can go on with their movements without interferences.
Will the enumerators go to lodges and hotels?
Enumerators will go to hotels and lodges. There is an instrument to enumerate people who may have spent the census night at a hotel or lodge. The enumerators will pick the information from hotel management.
What new data needs will be captured in the Census 2024 that have not been captured in any Census before?
- Data on the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM). The PDM is a government programme aimed at transforming the whole country into the commercial economy using a broad based approach i.e based at the grass root level.
- A model on subsistence economy. In Uganda, 39% of households are outside the money economy. This data will help government in planning interventions that will aid the transition from subsistence to the money economy.
- Questions on Clanship which aid in ascertaining the various clans that constitute the foundations of different Ugandan societies.
- Data on the day population of major cities and towns i.e to establish the activities and engagements of the urban population during the day.
- Data on returnee migrants and emigration to establish the causes of the movement of people from time to time.
- Questions on the National Health Insurance Policy to establish the health needs and requirements of the population.
- Data on refugees. Uganda is renowned globally for hosting the biggest number of refugees. The refugees exert pressure on land and other socio-economic services.
- Data on Albinism to establish their composite number in the population and ensuring they are not marginalized.
- Data on little persons in society.
When will results from the Census 2024 be available?
The provisional results for the National Population and Housing Census 2024 will be produced within two months after the enumeration as required by law. This report will show the apportionment population counts by district. The final results come out after six months.
So, what is expected of Ugandans?
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics appeals to all Ugandans to continue to embrace all the Census 2024 activities up to completion.
- Every Ugandan is encouraged to participate positively by giving accurate information at the time of enumeration, so as to enable the collection and processing of quality data to support planning, policy formulation and decision making at the national and sub national levels.
- The Census is for all, and IT MATTERS TO BE COUNTED.
For more information, follow the link below
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.