A census official in Namutumba district is seeking assistance after being bitten by a dog during an enumeration exercise. Patrick Isabirye was attacked at the home of Madina Nabirye, a resident of Kangulumo B village in Namutumba Town Council.
Isabirye reports that he has not yet received any facilitation from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) and is now without funds for necessary treatment and vaccination against rabies.
"I am here stuck after being bitten by a dog which is suspected to be rabid since UBOS is yet to give us any money. I would have used that for treatment," Patrick said.
He is appealing to well-wishers for support. Godfrey Nabongo, the UBOS Deputy Executive Director, stated that they have not yet received an official report about the incident. However, he assured that the Bureau would take responsibility once the report is filed.
"I’m yet to receive a report on this incident in Namutumba but UBOS is ready to take care of this person because it is our staff," Nabongo said.
He added that the affected person needs to formally submit the treatment costs in writing for the bill to be cleared. Rabies, a vaccine-preventable and fatal zoonotic disease, requires immediate medical attention. The vaccination typically costs around Shs 350,000.
The 2024 National Housing and Population Census (NHPC) exercise commenced on May 10th and has presented several challenges for enumerators, including attacks that have resulted in the deaths of at least three officials. The 10-day census is scheduled to end on May 19th, except in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono, where it has been extended by one day due to technical glitches experienced on the first day.
Isabirye's case highlights the risks census officials face and the importance of timely facilitation for their safety and well-being. As the census continues, UBOS is urged to ensure the protection and support of its staff to prevent further incidents.
A census is a critical tool for countries like Uganda, offering numerous benefits. It assists in accurately estimating population size, growth rates, and distribution, crucial for planning services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Census data aids in effective resource allocation, identifying areas with high population density or specific needs to distribute resources fairly. It provides insights into demographic trends for policy formulation regarding employment, social welfare, and economic development.
Additionally, census data helps understand the composition of the workforce, literacy rates, and income levels, aiding in economic planning and investment attraction.
