By Ben Musanje
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) Executive Director Dr. Chris Mukiza has reflected on what he described as the peaceful and cooperative return of two UBOS buildings in Entebbe by the Special Forces Command (SFC), saying the handover in 2021 demonstrated the spirit of collaboration between government institutions.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new Statistics House in Entebbe, Dr. Mukiza also assured Roko Construction Company that the government would honor its contractual obligations and make timely payments once the contractor fulfills agreed milestones certified by the project consultant.
The ceremony marked the official commencement of works on the modern Statistics House, a flagship government-funded project expected to transform Uganda’s national statistical infrastructure while positioning the country as a regional hub for official statistics.
Recalling UBOS’s long history at the Entebbe site, Dr. Mukiza said the occasion carried deep emotional significance because it represented the institution’s return to one of its historic homes.
“When I became a statistician, this was my first call,” he said, adding that returning to the premises after several years stirred memories of the Bureau’s early years.
UBOS operated from the Entebbe premises until 2006 before relocating its headquarters to Statistics House in Kampala. However, the Bureau maintained operations at the Entebbe facility because of its strategic proximity to government institutions and continued statistical outreach activities.
Dr. Mukiza explained that in 2006, the Special Forces Command moved into two blocks on the property after requiring additional office accommodation while State House facilities were undergoing renovation.
Rather than permanently losing the premises, UBOS later engaged the military leadership after the SFC constructed its own permanent headquarters.
The UBOS Executive Director praised the military for honoring its commitment to vacate the buildings once its new headquarters became operational.
“We are happy that you willingly handed them back to us without any bullets being shot,” Dr. Mukiza remarked, drawing applause from guests attending the ceremony.
He noted that when UBOS approached SFC leadership regarding the property, the military requested four months to complete relocation before peacefully handing over the buildings.
“We are very grateful and want you to take our gratitude to the commanders of the Special Forces Command,” he said.
The two buildings, located on Plot 9 Airport Road in Entebbe, had been occupied by the elite military unit since 2007.
In December 2020, following relocation to its newly completed state-of-the-art headquarters named after President Yoweri Museveni, the Special Forces Command officially handed the buildings back to UBOS, paving the way for the Bureau’s expansion plans.
Dr. Mukiza said the recovered land now provides UBOS with an opportunity to establish a world-class statistical complex that will not only serve Uganda but also support regional integration within the East African Community.
He revealed that UBOS intends to reserve office space within the new facility for the proposed East African Statistics Bureau, arguing that Uganda is well positioned to host the regional institution.
“As you know, His Excellency is a Pan-Africanist,” Dr. Mukiza said, appealing to Finance Minister Henry Musasizi to support Uganda’s bid to host the regional bureau.
He argued that hosting the East African Statistics Bureau would generate multiple benefits for Uganda.
According to him, the presence of the regional institution would create employment opportunities for Ugandans, increase the number of international meetings hosted in the country, stimulate business activity in Entebbe, and reinforce Uganda’s leadership role in East African integration.
“It will bring inflows here because many of the regional meetings will take place here,” he said.
Dr. Mukiza also used the occasion to express appreciation to the Government of Uganda for consistently supporting the Bureau’s institutional development.
He described the Statistics House project as evidence of government’s confidence in UBOS and its role in driving evidence-based planning and national development.
“This building is a testament to the trust that government has in our institution,” he said.
Beyond constructing the physical infrastructure, Dr. Mukiza noted that government has committed resources for equipping the facility with modern information and communication technology systems required for contemporary statistical production.
He thanked the Ministry of Finance for releasing the first batch of funding to kick-start the project.
Addressing Roko Construction Company directly, Dr. Mukiza assured the contractor that payments would be processed promptly once contractual obligations are fulfilled.
“Roko will have no complaint,” he said.
“Once they complete what has been agreed, the consultant will certify the works and we shall be paying you.”
He emphasized that UBOS expects the contractor to maintain high standards and keep construction on schedule.
“We do not want people saying Roko delays. This is Uganda’s international gateway, and people should see Roko working because it will also market the company beyond Uganda,” he added.
Dr. Mukiza further commended government for fully financing Uganda’s recent National Population and Housing Census.
Unlike previous national censuses that depended heavily on donor support, he said the latest census was almost entirely funded by the Government of Uganda.
“The government funded 99 percent of the census. Development partners only contributed one percent,” he noted.
He attributed this confidence to government’s trust in UBOS’s prudent financial management and accountability.
Upon completion, the new Statistics House is expected to significantly strengthen Uganda’s capacity to produce, process and disseminate official statistics.
According to Dr. Mukiza, the facility will house a modern data processing centre, eliminating the need to rent external warehouses and temporary processing facilities during national censuses and large-scale surveys.
“That will become history,” he said.
The complex will also include a Data Science and Innovation Hub dedicated to harnessing emerging technologies such as big data analytics and artificial intelligence for statistical production.
In addition, the facility will host an in-service training centre where UBOS staff, officials from ministries, departments and agencies, local governments and other stakeholders will receive professional training in statistical methods and data management.
Modern conference facilities will also enable Uganda to host regional and international statistical meetings, while dedicated operational offices will coordinate national censuses, surveys and field activities.
UBOS Board Chairman Dr. Albert Byamugisha described the groundbreaking ceremony as a historic milestone for Uganda’s national statistical system.
He said the project represents government’s continued commitment to strengthening evidence-based planning, policy formulation and sustainable national development.
Dr. Byamugisha thanked Finance Minister Henry Musasizi for providing strategic guidance and ensuring government funding for the project.
“This strategic project is fully funded by the Government of Uganda,” he said.
He urged Roko Construction Company to deliver the project within the agreed 36-month contract period, expressing confidence in the contractor’s proven capacity to execute quality infrastructure projects.
“Money is not the problem,” Dr. Byamugisha remarked, encouraging the contractor to focus on timely delivery and quality workmanship.
The Board Chairman echoed Dr. Mukiza’s call for government support in Uganda’s bid to host the East African Statistics Bureau headquarters at the new facility.
He said securing the regional institution would elevate Uganda’s position as a centre of excellence in official statistics while advancing the country’s ambition of becoming a globally recognized national statistics office.
Dr. Byamugisha also acknowledged the support of the Government of Uganda and other stakeholders in modernizing the country’s statistical system, noting that the investment would serve generations of Ugandans.
The Statistics House project, being undertaken by Roko Construction Company on behalf of the Government of Uganda, is expected to provide the infrastructure required for UBOS to deepen automation in data production, processing, innovation and dissemination.
Once completed, the facility will significantly enhance the Bureau’s ability to generate timely, reliable and high-quality official statistics to support evidence-based decision-making, national planning and policy formulation, while strengthening Uganda’s standing as a regional leader in statistical development. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
