Public asked to declare assets ahead of Census exercise

As the Government of Uganda commences the National population and Housing Census of 2024, the public has been appealed to be able to declare their properties and assets in enabling the Government plan for its people.

The census will be done in 10 days starting with Census night on 9th May 2024. The National Population and House Census 2024 activity was launched on December 12th 2023 by the President of Uganda. And it is done every 10 years.

This exercise will be conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).

During the Press Conference that was held recently at Mbarara City Council Headquarters, Lydia Tuhaise, the census Commissioner for Mbarara City under UBOS asked the public to be open and answer the questions that will be asked to them by the Enumerators during the census exercise. She appealed to people to provide the necessary information about them, their properties and the assets.

Tuhaise revealed that it’s important for every citizen to be counted. That the census figures play a critical role in guiding planning, policy formulation, and programme implementation as well as monitoring development progress in line with the national goals and objectives.

This time, the census exercise will use digital technology to collect, process and disseminate census results. The digital census will enable the UBOS to produce accurate and timely demographic, social and economic statistics.

Patrick Kanamugira, the Mbarara City Census Officer said that the census is aiming at identifying the population of the people in Uganda and their wealth.  He mentioned that there are 87 questions that will be asked to each individual. That there will be more extra questions that will be questioned to an individual during the exercise. These questions will take a duration of between 45-60 minutes depending on the number of people living in that particular home.

Every category of people will be counted including those that will be travelling in Buses, those that will be in lodges, bars and these will be counted during the night census. Other categories of people to be counted are  prisoners, patients in the Hospital, those in night prayers among others.

Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, the Mayor Mbarara City also appealed to the people of Mbarara to adhere with census exercise activities so that they can be counted. He said that population goes with resource allocation. Once the Government identifies the population within an area like Mbarara City it helps in allocating the funds and other projects. He said that getting the actual population it is very important for them as leaders and government to plan for their people and to give them the best services.

“I want to actually call upon the public and tell you that Ladies and Gentlemen don’t be worried that you will be taxed when you are asked to declare your wealth or assets. The Census doesn’t affect you in tax related matters, the only thing that the Government wants from this is to know the people in the country or  a certain city like Mbarara and what they own, do not hide your assets and properties. Please let us corporate and give the actual figures of people in the family, property and assets among others. As myself am ready to be counted and am ready to declare anything that I own” said Kakyebezi