Uganda’s decision to roll out three major national data initiatives in 2025—focusing on education, aquaculture, and the labour market—is more than statistical housekeeping. It’s a bold move to put evidence at the center of national decision-making in sectors that are often reactive, underfunded, or fragmented.
Led by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) in coordination with the Ministries of Education and Sports; Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; and Gender, Labour and Social Development, the country is conducting a Baseline Education Census, an Aquaculture Census, and a Labour Market Survey. If effectively executed—and more importantly, acted upon—these efforts could reshape policy, resource allocation, and governance in sectors vital to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
“This is not about numbers for the shelf,” said Dr. Chris Mukiza, UBOS Executive Director. “It’s about diagnosing the real needs of our people and planning for them properly.”
How Data Can Reshape a Sector
Data reveals gaps, challenges assumptions, and realigns priorities.
Education: Exposing Inequality, Guiding Investment
The Baseline Education Census, launched in April 2025, aims to gather comprehensive data on all learning institutions—public and private, formal and informal, from early childhood to tertiary education.
On the surface, it may sound simple: count students, assess facilities, and evaluate teacher deployment. But its real value lies in correcting long-standing inaccuracies.
For years, the sector has struggled with ghost learners, under-reported dropouts, and inflated infrastructure data—distorting policies and budgets. By verifying enrollment, tracking learners (via NINs and LINs), and geolocating institutions, the census could expose inequality and inefficiency.
“We’ve seen numbers drop between Primary Seven and Senior One. This census will help us understand where the breakdown is happening,” Mukiza noted.
If used well, the data could direct funding to under-enrolled schools and rationalize teacher deployment by matching staff to actual pupil-teacher ratios. It would also guide infrastructure investments based on population needs rather than political agendas—fostering a more equitable and efficient system.
But data alone isn’t enough. Bold decisions on resource allocation, fee structures, and accountability must follow.
Aquaculture: From Informal Sector to Investment Magnet
Uganda’s fish farming industry is one of its fastest-growing agribusiness sectors, yet policymakers still rely on estimates and anecdotes.
Launching in May 2025, the Aquaculture Census aims to document the number, size, and production capacity of all aquaculture units—commercial and subsistence, pond- and cage-based. It will also assess fish farmers’ profiles, environmental impacts, and market challenges.
In a country where agriculture employs the majority but contributes less to GDP, aquaculture offers a high-yield, low-land alternative—if properly understood and managed.
“The sector is growing, but blindly. This census is the flashlight,” said a fisheries economist at Makerere University.
With solid data, small and medium fish farmers could access credit and attract investment in hatcheries, feed production, and cold chain logistics—key to building a high-value, reliable value chain.
Stronger data would also support better regulation to protect ecosystems, and training programs could enhance fish farmers’ skills and competitiveness.
Labour Market: Redefining Work, Aligning Skills
Of the three, the Labour Market Survey—already underway—is perhaps the most politically sensitive. Youth unemployment is a major challenge, yet its definition and measurement remain contentious.
By collecting data across formal and informal sectors, the survey aims to provide a fuller picture of labour supply, demand, and skills mismatches. It will also look at wages, underemployment, job satisfaction, and mobility.
“We can’t solve unemployment with rhetoric. We need to know where the jobs are, where the gaps are, and who’s falling through the cracks,” said Mukiza.
Done right, the survey could help align education and training with job market realities. Curricula could become more skills-focused, reskilling more targeted, and apprenticeships more common. The private sector could be encouraged to create jobs based on actual demand, while informal workers receive better protections and policy support.
More than any other initiative, this survey could help Uganda rethink what “work” means in an economy where over 70% of jobs are informal.
A Culture Shift: From Politics-First to Data-First
Together, these three initiatives signal a shift in Uganda’s planning culture—from politics-first to data-first. For decades, gaps between policy assumptions and community realities have led to ineffective programs and wasted resources.
“We urge local governments and communities to treat this as a national duty,” Mukiza emphasized. “This data will shape their futures too.”
In a system often marred by misreporting, underfunding, and politicized decisions, this triple census could be a turning point—not just in what it reveals, but in how leaders respond.
The real impact—on classrooms, fish farms, and the job market—won’t come from the data alone, but from the courage to let it drive decisions.