Uganda Bureau of Statistics(UBOS) has warned the public to be on alert over conmen disguising as its staff to fleece them of money in dubious scams.
According to UBOS Executive Director, Dr.Chris Mukiza, the conmen are taking advantage of the ongoing national listing exercise as the country prepares for the May, 10, 2024 census.
“The circulating information alleges that there are people who are moving around households, disguising as UBOS employees with letter heads and claim to confirm that everyone has a National Identity Card for purposes of participating in Census 2024.UBOS wishes to inform the public that the on-going listing exercise is recording the name of the household head and geo-reference code for households and area boundaries,” Dr.Mukiza said.
He said the teams are currently listing in the cities of Arua, Fort Portal, Gulu, Hoima, Jinja, Lira, Mbale, Masaka, Mbarara, Soroti, and will soon be in the greater Kampala districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono .
“ Other districts are being visited to mop-up the remaining households that were not covered in our previous listing exercise. In all UBOS statistical field activities including the listing of households for census 2024, our teams are accompanied with guides who are area LC 1 chairpersons or an elected leader known to the area.”
He warned the public to be vigilant to avoid falling prey to the conmen but also report suspected cases to police.
“We further wish to warn such individuals involved in manipulating the population to desist, and once identified, they will be held responsible and handed over to the authorities.”