Statistics body, UBO has said street children, just like many other homeless people will also be counted during the forthcoming national population census.
The sixth post-independence census in Uganda will get underway on Friday, April, 10 all over the country.
Addressing journalists on Monday, the head of statistics and methodology at UBOS, James Muwonge said they have made arrangements to reach out to everyone.
“Even the homeless will be counted because we have made arrangements to look out for them on the street and those who work late at night,” Muwonge said.
Mentioned those in ghettos and truck drivers who might be on the move during the census.
“We have put in place mechanisms to ensure everyone is counted. Even for truck drivers who are always on the move, we will find them and make sure they are counted. City and municipality authorities will be used to reach out to these people or their leaders to ensure they are counted.”
Officials said they have been engaging various stakeholders including religious and cultural leaders in various parts of the country to deal with the issue of misconceptions that could stop some groups from participating in the census.
“We have been engaging various leaders in these communities including cultural and religious leaders have been engaged to ensure they can convince all members of society to take part in the census,” said Dr. Albert Byamugisha, the UBOS board chairperson.
Questions
UBOS officials said said Ugandans will be answering five major questions during the forthcoming housing and population census.
The UBOS board chairperson, Dr.Albert Byamugisha said enumerators will be seeking to know how many people are in a given household, their sex and age.
Officials also said enumerators will be seeking to know how people live in Uganda including the type of houses ie, grass thatched, iron roofed among others
Enumerators will also seek to know what items are owned by members of a given household, the facilities like schools, health centres, hospitals and police stations among others.
“The statistical data and information obtained will be used for government for planning purposes and policy formulation. It will also facilitate investment decisions in various sectors of economy. We call upon everyone to cooperate to ensure our households and communities are counted,”Dr.Byamugisha said.
He said enumerators and their supervisors are currently undergoing training that will be completed on Wednesday ahead of the exercise on Friday.
