The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has issued a warning to those chosen to serve as enumerators in the forthcoming national census, urging them to avoid any attempts to steal census equipment.
In Uganda’s first-ever digital national population and housing census scheduled for May 2024, UBOS is set to distribute over 110,000 tablet computers. These devices will be utilized for delineating census areas and throughout the 10-day census operation.
However, UBOS has cautioned enumerators against misplacing or attempting to steal the census devices, stating that such actions will result in serious consequences.
Chris Mukiza, the CEO of UBOS, expressed concern on Monday about the potential theft of the tablets, particularly if enumerators decide to abscond with the devices.
Mukiza cited the 2019 national census in neighboring Kenya as an example, where numerous enumerators vanished with census tablets. “In Kenya, some enumerators would gamble the tablets for drinks in bars. While many were apprehended, a significant amount of data was lost,” Mukiza revealed in a televised interview.
Kenyan media reports also indicated that several other devices were stolen during break-ins at storage facilities.
To prevent such incidents, Mukiza stated that steps have been taken to ensure all census enumerators and their supervisors can be traced. “That’s why we required their National Identification Numbers (NINs). Without a National ID, we cannot employ you,” Mukiza explained.
He further warned, “If our tablets are lost or stolen, the law will find you. We will track you down and apprehend you.”
UBOS has invested Shs. 132 billion in the procurement of the census tablets, with the first batches arriving in the country just over a week ago.
The delay in procuring the tablets was one of the reasons the census was postponed from August of the previous year.