Uganda National Bureau of Statistics has said information provided by the public regarding the census night will be key during the forthcoming 2024 census.
May, 9, 2024 was gazette as the census night for the forthcoming national population census.
Speaking on Monday, Didacus Okoth, the Senior public relations officer for UBOS all information regarding this year’s exercise will be referenced on May, 9.
“The census night will be on May, 9 2024, which is the reference date for the entire census enumeration period. Even if enumerator came on 10th day, you are supposed to remember whoever slept in your home on the night of May, 9 and all information regarding the census night. Everyone should be well conversant with this information and in case the household head is not around during the day for the actual counting, they should leave someone behind well conversant with this information,” Okoth said.
He however explained that enumerators will not be counting people during the night but rather during the day and during working hours.
Okoth explained that with the census night being May, 9, the following day, May, 10 will be a public holiday to allow people stay at home so that they are found by the enumerators to ask questions regarding the census night.
He however noted that the census will continue for 10 days but insisted information to be asked during all these days will be related to the census night.
The 2024 census will be the first ever digital census in Uganda and according to the UBOS spokesperson, at least 120,000 tablets have been purchased to aid in this exercise.
He said they have teamed up with police to provide security for enumerators.
Okoth also revealed that the census will not only be for households but also institutions like Uganda Police Force, UPDF, Uganda Prisons, hospitals, refugees and many others.