By Mulengera Reporters
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has handed over 5,195 digital tablets to universities, other higher institutions of learning and cultural institutions, in a move aimed at enhancing data collection, research, and evidence-based planning across the country.
Held at Statistics House in Kampala on Monday, the event marked a major milestone in UBOS’s broader strategy to strengthen the National Statistical System by ensuring that both academic and non-state actors are empowered with tools to actively participate in data production and usage.
The tablets, which were used during the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, are now being redeployed to help universities and cultural institutions take a more active role in collecting, analyzing, and utilizing data.
Dr. Chris Mukiza, the UBOS Executive Director, said the gesture is not just a donation, but part of a bigger vision to make statistics accessible and usable by all stakeholders.
He explained that the National Statistical System includes not only producers and suppliers of statistics but also users (especially training institutions, academia, and now, cultural institutions).
“This release of tablets is a continuation of our effort to build a stronger statistical ecosystem in the country. Cultural institutions like Buganda, Bunyoro, and Rwenzururu have already developed or are developing statistical units. These tablets will help them collect better data within their jurisdictions,” Mukiza explained, further emphasizing that UBOS wants to see statistics being utilized more actively.
“We collect a lot of data, but it’s often underutilized. We now want these institutions to use it meaningfully for analysis, training, policy-making and community development,” he said, adding that the bureau has agreed to share 10% of their datasets freely, including data on population, aquaculture, or other census topics, and the rest can be accessed through user-specific requests.
Mukiiza clarified that even though this data is freely available because it is publicly funded, it must be used in line with statistical regulations. And for privacy reasons, datasets will be shared in aggregated form rather than with individual-level details.
Out of the 5,195 tablets, 3,250 were allocated to ten government universities and teacher training institutions, while the rest went to cultural institutions.
The allocations included 1,000 tablets to Buganda Kingdom, 550 to Bunyoro, 500 to Busoga, 120 to Rwenzururu, and 75 to the National Council for Higher Education.
Universities such as Makerere (700), Kyambogo (350), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (350), and others also received substantial shares.
Dr. Allen Kabagyenyi, a UBOS board member representing academia, said the tablets will help institutions to cope with the increasing demand for digital access, data-driven learning, and blended education models.
“In a world shaped by digital learning and research, this investment is vital. It allows our universities to train students in real-world statistical tools and also strengthens institutional research capacity,” Dr. Kabagyenyi said.
The cultural institutions expressed gratitude for the support, noting that it marks a shift in how they are perceived and how they operate.
Owek. Andrew Byakutaga, the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, representing all the cultural institutions, said that cultural institutions are no longer just custodians of traditions, but are now embracing modern tools to collect and manage their own data.
“For a long time, people saw cultural institutions as centers for dancing and drumming. But we’re living in a modern era. We have a lot of data that is orally transmitted. These tablets will help us document and process it better,” he said.
He added that Bunyoro kingdom has been working closely with UBOS to set up a statistical unit, and the tablets will go a long way in supporting this effort.
Veteran statistician Dr. Muwanga Zaake, one of the founding leaders of UBOS, said the integration of cultural institutions into the national statistical framework is a dream that has finally come to life.
“When we were setting up UBOS in the 1990s, we never imagined cultural institutions would one day be involved in data production. But here we are. Cultural institutions are now key partners in ensuring that administrative data is captured cost-effectively,” Dr. Zaake said.
He also suggested that universities could deepen this collaboration by encouraging their students to do internship at cultural institutions, which are increasingly rich sources of data for research, dissertations, and even PhDs.
Earlier this year, UBOS had transferred over 23,000 tablets to local governments to boost administrative data collection, and 35,000 tablets to the Electoral Commission (EC).
The handover ceremony, attended by university representatives, statisticians, cultural leaders, and government officials, marks another chapter in UBOS’s efforts to decentralize data collection and make statistics more accessible and impactful in Uganda’s development journey. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
