By Amos Ssemuwemba
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), is gearing up for a significant quality check of its recent national population and housing census.
Following the launch of the Post Enumeration Survey (PES), UBOS is set to roll this out between August and September this year.
This critical survey is designed to scrutinize the accuracy of the census data by cross-referencing it with a new set of findings to identify any discrepancies.
Mr Didacus Okoth, Senior Public Relations Officer at UBOS, outlined the scope of the PES during a media briefing in Kampala on Monday, August 12, 2024. “Our goal is to ensure the integrity of the census data by replicating the enumeration process in all 135 districts and 11 cities across Uganda,” Okoth said.
The PES will involve a rigorous sampling method to mirror the original census operations.
It will capture information from individuals who spent the previous night in various settings, including those who returned home late from social or professional activities, as well as security personnel on duty.
However, the survey will deliberately exclude certain groups, such as students in boarding schools, religious institutions, refugee camps, and inpatients in medical facilities.
Okoth emphasized the survey’s independence from the initial census, clarifying that the PES is a distinct operation aimed solely at verifying census accuracy.
UBOS has mobilized a team of independent surveyors, with ongoing training for additional data collectors at the sub-county level. The bureau is also collaborating with local leaders to engage communities and facilitate a smooth data collection process.
As the PES approaches, UBOS is calling on the public to support the survey by cooperating with field interviewers to ensure comprehensive and accurate data collection.