Ordinarily, it will take another 10 years before Uganda holds the next National Population and Housing Census (NPHS).
But ahead of that process, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has moved ahead of time to provide more than 120,000 tablets to universities, other higher education establishments, and cultural organisations to keep the census machine rolling with up-to-date figures, writes GEOFREY SERUGO.
For the 2024 NPHS, Ubos deployed about 122,026 tablets during enumeration. It is a no-brainer that in 10 years’ time until the next census, these tablets will be obsolete.
In order to address data issues and to ensure the nation remains informed, Ubos has kickstarted a strategy to distribute these tablets to essential institutions and entities. On June 30, Ubos gave out more than 5,000 digital tablets to universities, other higher education establishments, and cultural organisations in a move aimed to improve data collection, research, and evidence-based planning throughout the nation.
Unlike ordinary tablets on the market, these Ubos machines have double the capacity of a normal tablet in terms of power and performance. The tablets also have the Android operation system and are tailor-made for a powerful Global Positioning System (GPS) that is seamlessly functional even in remote areas.
The distribution, according to Ubos executive director Dr Chris Mukiza, is more than just a donation. “Giving out these tablets is just a component of a broader goal to make statistics usable and accessible to all stakeholders, including academic institutions, cultural organisations, and training facilities,” he says.
“This release of tablets is a continuation of our effort to build a stronger statistical ecosystem in the country. These tablets will help entities collect better data within their jurisdictions.”
Mukiza adds that Ubos is drawing attention to the underutilisation of the data that was gathered in the 2024 NPHC, and he encourages organisations to make meaningful use of the tablets for community development, training, analysis, and policymaking.
BREAKDOWN
“Of the more than 120,000 tablets, we are making at least 10 per cent of the datasets publicly available, with the remaining data being made available upon user request as long as it is used in accordance with statistical rules and in aggregated form for privacy. Ten government universities and teacher training facilities received 3,250 of the total tablets, with the remaining portion going to cultural institutions.
The Buganda kingdom got one thousand tablets, 550 to Bunyoro, 500 to Busoga, 120 to Rwenzururu, and 75 to the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). Mbarara University of Science and Technology received 350, Kyambogo University 350, and Makerere University 700.
“The tablets are going to assist institutions to meet the growing demand for digital access, data-driven learning, and blended education models,” says Dr Allen Kabagyenyi, a Ubos board member.
“In a world shaped by digital learning and research, this investment is vital. It allows our universities to train students in real-world statistical tools and also strengthens institutional research capacity.”
The entities that received these tablets, according to James Kiiza, the Ubos director of Digital Solutions and Data Capability, are responsible for their maintenance.
“Institutions that currently have or are in the process of signing collaborative arrangements with UBOS have received the tablets. However, since we have already trained the technocrats of the benefitting entities, we expect them to pass on the knowledge and skills to the end-users. There will be no training for the end-users, as they are Android-based and, as such, can be used by anyone who has used a smartphone before,” he says.
“Nonetheless, the bureau will follow up by providing technical support in review or improvement in the methodology used for data collection. Noting that most surveys are demand- driven, under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreements, Ubos may review some of the outputs to support improvements in methodology for future surveys in the collection of data for indicators that inform planning and evidence-based decision-making in Uganda.”
Kiiza notes that more government and cultural institutions will be considered for the remaining tablets under collaborative arrangements with Ubos.
“We are reviewing the methodology used to ensure adherence to the statistical methods in the collection of data and indicators set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the fourth (NDPIV) as well as the third Plan for National Statistical Development (PNSD III).
WELCOME GESTURE
Andrew Byakutaga, the prime minister of the Bunyoro kingdom, who represented cultural leaders, says they are appreciative of the assistance, seeing it as a change in their responsibilities. He says they are going to deploy contemporary methods for gathering and managing data.
Cultural institutions were long viewed as hubs for drumming and dancing. However, Byakutaga notes that we live in a modern age.
“A large portion of our data is transmitted verbally. We will be able to better document and process it with the aid of these tablets. He adds that the kingdoms of Bunyoro and Ubos are still working together to create a statistical unit. Dr Muwanga Zaake, a seasoned Ubos statistician, says the incorporation of cultural institutions into the national statistical framework is a “dream come true.’
“As cultural institutions are increasingly becoming rich sources of data for research, we recommended that universities encourage students to intern there,” he says.
PRIOR COMMITMENTS
Earlier this year, Ubos sent 35,000 tablets to the Electoral Commission and more than 23,000 tablets to local governments for the purpose of collecting administrative data. Additionally, Ubos will be keen to follow up on the proper usage of the tablets.
To ensure this, according to Ubos spokesperson Didacus Okoth, they undertook beneficiaries through a special training to enhance their capacities in data collection, research, and evidence-based planning.
“We have spent some weeks working in conjunction with the ministry of ICT to train and impart the necessary skills to the beneficiaries,” he says.
“What’s more, we already have a program in place to expand the trainings.” Incidentally, the next national census is another 10 years away, but Ubos intends to tap into the data collected by the different entities to prepare and boost its preparations.
“The national census is not a one- year preparation, but it takes years of collecting data. This is just one of the initiatives to keep us alert,” says Okoth.
Meanwhile, Okoth further revealed that the tablets have been equipped with the Parish Development Model Information System (PDMIS) application, which will help in collecting data at the parish level.
“This administrative data is already being shared. We also plan to deploy additional applications from other government agencies such as the NIRA’s (National Identification and Registration Authority) birth and death system,” he says.
Incidentally, there is still room for other organisations and NGOs to get the remaining tablets.