For decades, Uganda’s national statistics relied heavily on paper-based surveys, manual data entry, and delayed reporting—challenges that often impeded timely policy responses.
But a quiet revolution is underway.
The use of digital tools in the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, as well as the ongoing Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) 2023/2024, signals a transformative shift not only in results but in how data is collected.
Spearheaded by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), these changes are modernizing how government understands and responds to development challenges.
At the heart of this transformation is Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI), a system that replaces traditional paper questionnaires with handheld tablets.
Enumerators now conduct face-to-face interviews while entering responses directly into pre-programmed digital forms. The benefits are significant:
- Real-time data uploads
- Automated validation checks
- Faster processing
- Dramatic reduction in human error
This has created a more accurate and agile data ecosystem—one that can better inform decisions on everything from rural healthcare access to urban youth employment strategies.
For Nuwaha Ngabwa, an enumerator working on the ongoing aquaculture census, the shift to CAPI is more than just a technical upgrade—it’s a practical evolution.
“CAPI has simplified the whole exercise,” she explains. “It’s easy to input information and correct errors—unlike handwritten forms. The best part? It saves us time.”
Even in remote areas with unreliable internet, the system is flexible.
“There’s an option to save your work and resume later. We synchronize the data once we get a stable connection,” says Nuwaha.
Power outages are also less of a concern.
“UBOS gave us power banks for fieldwork. Some villages don’t have electricity, so once your power bank is charged—maybe at a small salon over the weekend—you’re good for the week.”
She credits UBOS’s thorough training for her ease with the technology.
“The team did a great job preparing us. We’re well equipped. The world is going digital, and so are we.”
UBOS isn’t stopping at CAPI. The bureau is integrating geo-coded data into its surveys, giving policymakers precise, location-specific insights. This allows planners to visualize disparities—for example, pinpointing underserved water sources in Karamoja or mapping school enrollment gaps in informal settlements.
Other innovations include: PS mapping, Digital dashboards, Spatial analysis tools
These tools are already being used by the Ministry of Finance and local governments, enhancing real-time visibility into Uganda’s development landscape.
The UNHS 2023/24 achieved an impressive 92% response rate, thanks to digital tools, geo-targeting, and rigorous training. The survey covered 17,350 households across 1,735 enumeration areas, including refugee and host communities in Kampala, the North, and the West.
UBOS leaders reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to data quality, transparency, and relevance.
“Statistics are a public good,” said Dr. Albert Byamugisha, Chairperson of the UBOS Board. “Our role is to ensure they support national frameworks like Vision 2040, Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Dr. Chris Mukiza, Executive Director of UBOS, acknowledged the delay in releasing the report due to the 2024 Census but emphasized its readiness to inform:
- Government policy
- Academic research
- Civil society programs
- Development partner strategies
- Public debate
In this new era, data no longer sits idle in archives. It drives decisions, shapes equitable policies, and amplifies the voices of underserved communities.
As Uganda prepares for NDP IV, this digital transformation may well become its most powerful development tool yet.