By Mulengera Reporters
Uganda’s chief statistician Dr. Chris Mukiza, who is also the Executive Director for Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), led a powerful delegation of officials to ably represent Uganda to the 56th session of the UN Economic & Social Council Statistical Commission in New York City. The four-day conference raged between 4th and 7th March 2025.
Leading statisticians from across the globe converged on New York to set the agenda for statistical development, production and dissemination as a key accelerator and contributor to the socio-economic transformation of all peoples of the world. The agenda that gets agreed upon at such a forum has to strictly be adhered to by public and public statisticians in the subsequent 12 months from countries where the different National Statistical Offices (NSOs) operate and are in charge of related work.
Dr. Mukiza submitted that this year 2025’s conference was an opportunity for the statistical leaders and stakeholders to share ideas and generate consensus on issues relating to statistical development, production and dissemination. He ably spoke on behalf of Uganda and cautioned against duplication of the functions of National Statistics Boards and regional frameworks such as the African Charter for Official Statistics. These establish oversight standards and compliance mechanisms in total adherence to fundamental principles of official statistics.
“The discussion and decision at this 56th Session of the UN Economic and Social Council Statistical Commission will shape a new era in understanding the statistical demands and ensuring that the we respond to such data needs in a timely manner,” asserted Dr. Mukiza. “The discussion and decision at this 56th Session of the UN Economic and Social Council Statistical Commission will shape a new era in understanding the statistical demands and ensuring that the we respond to such data needs in a timely manner.”
He also reminded fellow Statistics Boards leaders about the need to consistently churn out quality data while focusing on addressing specific areas and developmental gaps that require officially well-authenticated statistics to meaningfully facilitate informed policy formulation, resource allocation and interventions.
The 56th Session was also expected to have the Commission members consider resolutions for the 2030 World Population and Housing Census Program and the System of National Accounts 2025. The UN Under Secretary General Mr. Li Junhua from the Department of Economic and Social Affairs was present too and made it clear that these two programmes have a rich history and they remain highly relevant in measuring the achievements of Sustainable Development Goals and are fundamental in monitoring the needs of the 2030 Agenda.
Mr. Li also emphasized the need to conduct population and housing censuses as one of the ways through which the Agenda of 2030 and beyond can be delivered upon. He noted that the new 2025 System for National Accounts will enhance the measuring of the digital and global economy besides enriching discussions around GDP.
The Ugandan delegation Dr. Mukiza led comprised of UBOS Board Member Dr. Allen Kabagenyi, Ministry of Finance Assistant Commissioner Dr. Sam Mugume, Statistics department head Samuel Echoku, Senior Statistician Johnson Galande and ICT Officer Ms. Karen Akampa. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
