The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has officially acknowledged substantial errors in the recently released 2024 census results, particularly in the population figures categorized by tribe and religion.
This acknowledgment comes amid mounting public criticism, with many accusing the agency of data manipulation to misrepresent demographic trends.
During a media briefing at the Kampala Serena Hotel, UBOS acting Deputy Executive Director Vincent Ssenono addressed these concerns directly. He explained that an error occurred during the compilation of the final report, which resulted in the inaccurate presentation of data, especially concerning tribal populations.
“It wasn’t true that the population of some tribes reduced as shown. We had an error,” Ssenono stated, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the impact of misinformation.
Ssenono clarified that while the figures presented in the 2024 census were accurate, the confusion stemmed from misreported data from the previous 2014 census. This misreporting led to discrepancies in percentage calculations that misrepresented the growth or decline of various tribes.
He emphasized that nearly all major tribes had registered growth, contradicting the initial report’s findings. “There was a 2.4% growth rate for the Baganda, Banyankore, Basoga, Bateso, and Bakiga. The indicators show there was growth in almost all tribes,” he asserted, aiming to restore confidence in the agency’s data.
In addressing the public’s concerns about transparency, Ssenono remarked, “As UBOS, we say to err is human. When you note an error, you call the public and inform them of it.” This commitment underscores UBOS’s dedication to rebuilding public trust after the controversy surrounding the census results.
The briefing also tackled discrepancies in religious population data. Ssenono clarified that the issue was not with the actual numbers but rather with the growth rates of major religious groups. Although the populations of Catholics, Muslims, and Anglicans have increased, their growth rates have slowed compared to other religious groups.
“For instance, the population of Roman Catholics grew from 13,426,520 to 16,612,537, but in terms of percentage relative to the total population, the growth is slower,” he explained. “This doesn’t mean that the total population is reducing.”
Ssenono reassured the public that UBOS data shows no decline in the actual numbers of Catholics, Muslims, or Anglicans, dispelling fears of a decrease in religious adherence.
Looking ahead, UBOS has pledged to correct the errors in the census report and to ensure that accurate information is shared with the public. The agency aims to maintain its credibility and integrity as the authoritative source for statistical data in Uganda.
