The start of Uganda's national population census encountered numerous challenges today, as enumerators and supervisors grappled with a variety of issues including faulty tablets, language barriers, heavy rainfall, resistance from both enumerators and the public, and a lack of internet data bundles.
One of the most significant incidents occurred in Kabale District, where a 35-year-old passenger aboard a Kampala-bound bus was arrested for allegedly refusing to participate in the census and inciting others to do the same.
The accused, identified as Jude Twebaze, a resident of Muyumbu parish in Kyanamira sub-county, was apprehended a few minutes past midnight in a Kabale-Kampala bound bus as it loaded passengers in Kabale town.
Kabale District Police Commander, Mr. Joseph Bakaleke, stated that Twebaze refused to be enumerated and began inciting other passengers to shun the exercise.
"He was arrested a few minutes past midnight after he refused to be enumerated before he started inciting other passengers into refusing to be counted," said Mr. Bakaleke. He further added, "We shall release him from police cells because he has proved to be remorseful. We shall not hesitate to arrest any other person that attempts to disrupt the census program."
In addition to resistance from the public, enumerators faced challenges such as language barriers, faulty tablets, and adverse weather conditions. These obstacles have hindered the smooth implementation of the census, raising concerns about the accuracy and completeness of the data collected.
Many enumerators, to this day claim not to have been well facilitated by their bosses as they set them off to a journey in the field. Prior to the exercise, it should be noted that Hon. Amos Lugolobi, the State Minister for Planning, in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development confirmed that Uganda Bureau of Statistics has already secured all the 12,000 tablets required for the census. He emphasized that these tablets are equipped with sophisticated features, including durability, waterproofing, and the ability to withstand various conditions.
Sadly, to this day, some enumerators claimed the tablets were faulty, some claiming they had no simcard chips and hence no internet connections.
Lugoloobi assured the public that the census exercise was on track and urged leaders to mobilize people to actively participate.
Despite these challenges, census officials remain committed to carrying out the exercise and ensuring that every individual is counted. However, it is evident that concerted efforts will be needed to address the issues that have marred the initial stages of the census process.
