Minister of State in charge of Planning, Amos Lugoloobi has reassured the public that the final National Census report will be officially released by December 2024.

Addressing concerns raised by members of Parliament, Lugoloobi emphasized that the current census data being utilized is only provisional and should not be treated as the final tally.

“In December 2024, we will present the final National Census report. The data we have now is provisional,” Lugoloobi confirmed.

The announcement came in response to questions regarding the accuracy and completeness of the preliminary figures that have so far been made available. Members of Parliament expressed concerns that some regions may have been undercounted and sought clarity on the timeline for the full report.

Minister Lugoloobi clarified that while the provisional figures provide a useful snapshot of the country’s demographic trends, they should not be viewed as conclusive.

Speaker Anita Among directed the government to provide Parliament with the full 2024 Census report, following public criticism regarding discrepancies in the provisional census data. She emphasized that Parliament needs to thoroughly review the official report to address the discrepancies highlighted by various stakeholders.

Although Amos Lugoloobi attempted to present a statement explaining the inconsistencies, the MPs raised concerns about whether a statement would sufficiently clarify the issues, instead calling for the full census report.

“First of all, we need to know the source of this document,” Speaker Among remarked. “The minister must have a report from which he is quoting these figures. We need an authentic document. This partial statement is not enough.”

Jonathan Odur (Erute South) opposed the Ministry of Finance’s plan to table a statement, arguing that the initial census report had been withdrawn following public allegations of data manipulation and inaccuracy.

“When you consider the legal framework guiding the census, it requires a thorough interrogation of 36 parameters. What we’ve seen so far indicates the census was conducted poorly, with claims of manipulated and cooked data. Many households were never even approached by the enumerators, and the provisional report has since been recalled,” Odur stated.

He further argued, “There is no foundation for Parliament to consider such a statement when what is needed is the official census report, not a mere explanation from the minister.”

In a statement released yesterday by the Uganda Bureau of statistics (UBOS), revealed that on Thursday October 3, 2024, the Provisional Report was disseminated and it provided more detailed statistical data and information on population, distribution and several socio-economic indicators.

UBOS noted that the figures for Census 2014 as published in March 2016 were correct. In addition, the data integrity of the Census 2024 is robust and of high quality. However, the Provisional Report published on October 3, 2024 misreported the tribes of Acholi, Bagisu, Bakiga and Lango for Census 2014 figures, which occurred during comparison of the tribal figures for 2014 and 2024.

“This has been corrected in accordance with the United Nations Fundamental Principles of official statistics with being Bakiga being 2,947,837, Lango2, 703,277, Bagisu 2,096,149, Acholi 1,941,913,” UBoS revealed.

UBOS added, “The Bureau would like to further clarify that all religions registered an increase in their followers between the two Censuses. Although all religions had a growth in their followers, some religions had a reduction in the share when compared to the total population.”

In compliance with the internally accepted practices and the approved Census Roadmap, the Bureau instituted an independent team of experts to conduct the Post Enumeration Survey 2024 to validate the scope and content of the National Population and Housing Census 2024. The findings from the Post Enumeration Survey will provide insights into the adequacy of the Census 2024.

“The Final Report containing comprehensive statistical data and information from the Census will be published in December 2024,” UBOS confirmed.

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The State Minister for Internal Affairs, David Muhoozi has revealed that the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is working on rolling out Digital Identity Cards (E-IDs) which will end the risk of physical ID confiscation as collateral in their transactions.

The Digital verification will allow citizens to authenticate their identity through electronic means, preventing money lenders from physically holding onto the cards.

“With digital verification, citizens will be able to authenticate their identity using electronic means, such as mobile apps or online platforms. This planned shift reduces the risk of physical IDs being used as collateral since digital identity verification does not require the physical handover of the card,” said Minister Muhoozi.

The Minister said that the use of national IDs as collateral for loans is a violation of citizens’ rights and a threat to national security.

“The confiscation of National Identity Cards as collateral for loans violates the rights and dignity of our citizens. This practice not only infringes on the rights of our people but also poses a serious threat to our national security and social stability,” said Minister Otafiire.

Many Ugandans, especially the poor and uneducated, have been left marginalized after losing access to their IDs. Without their IDs, citizens are unable to access essential services such as banking, healthcare, and even government welfare programs.

Muhoozi noted that the social and economic impact of this practice leaves borrowers vulnerable to exploitation, harassment, and financial extortion.

“When a National Identity Card is confiscated, it severely limits an individual’s ability to participate in basic livelihood activities. This practice disproportionately affects the most vulnerable in our society, leaving them trapped in cycles of poverty,” Muhoozi explained.

The government has also taken decisive steps to combat the illegal practice. These include legal provisions under the Registration of Persons Act and the Tier 4 Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders Regulations of 2018, which strictly prohibit the use of national IDs as collateral. Under these laws, those found guilty of confiscating IDs face fines or imprisonment of up to three years.

In addition to legal measures, the government has launched public awareness campaigns aimed at educating citizens about their rights. Several arrests have already been made, and national identity cards recovered from money lenders in operations across the country. For example, in Lira City, 149 national IDs were recovered during a police operation in August 2024.

“We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure that anyone found guilty of this illegal practice is held accountable. Citizens are also encouraged to report any person or entity illegally holding their national IDs to the authorities,” said the Minister.

Muhoozi reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens and urged the public to refrain from surrendering their national IDs as collateral.

“The government is fully committed to ensuring that National Identity Cards remain in the possession of their rightful owners and are used only for their intended purpose. We will continue to engage stakeholders to find lasting solutions to this issue,” he said.

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A devastating accident along the Kampala-Bombo road in Kigogwa Town has left 11 people dead, burnt beyond recognition, after a fuel tanker overturned and ignited a deadly blaze. The victims, which included 9 adults and 2 minors, were caught in the inferno after attempting to siphon fuel from the overturned vehicle.

The fuel tanker, with registration number UAM 292Q, was heading from Kampala to Gulu when the driver lost control, leading to the deadly crash. Eyewitnesses at the scene report that shortly after the tanker overturned, nearby residents rushed to collect fuel, unaware of the impending danger. Moments later, the vehicle exploded into a fireball, engulfing those around it.

Patrick Onyango, a police spokesperson, confirmed the tragic event and expressed deep regret over the loss of lives.

“The victims were burnt beyond recognition. Sadly, many were people who had gathered to siphon fuel from the overturned tanker,” Onyango said.

In addition to the human toll, the flames destroyed four buildings containing nine shops, causing extensive property damage. Goods and assets worth millions of shillings were lost in the blaze.

Emergency responders rushed the injured to nearby health centers, though the exact number of injured persons is yet to be confirmed. A fact-finding mission is ongoing to gather more details about those affected.

“This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with fuel tanker accidents and the importance of exercising caution when dealing with hazardous materials. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he said.

The identities of the deceased have not yet been established, and authorities are working to notify families. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues, shedding light on the full extent of the tragedy.

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The Ugandan government has secured an agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to pardon Ugandan migrant workers currently detained in deportation centers and prisons.

This was revealed by Esther Anyakun Davina, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations, during a press briefing on October 21, 2024.

The minister, who led a government delegation to Riyadh between October 14 and 17, 2024, explained that the visit aimed to discuss the welfare and working conditions of over 150,000 Ugandan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. Uganda and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral agreement in 2023, placing responsibility on the host country to safeguard the rights of Ugandan workers.

“Many Ugandans have been languishing in prison centers across Saudi Arabia, and central to the discussions was Uganda’s request for clemency for its citizens, including women with children born in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and those detained for various offenses,” said Anyakun.

She added that the agreement excludes Ugandans serving sentences for capital offenses, such as drug trafficking and murder.

The bilateral talks also reviewed the significant economic contributions of Ugandan migrant workers, who send approximately $900 million annually back home. Saudi Arabia is Uganda’s top labor externalization destination in the Middle East, making this agreement a critical step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of Ugandans abroad.

“In a gesture of goodwill, the Saudi government further pledged to expedite their repatriation back to Uganda and support in their reintegration. This unprecedented move is expected to bring relief to numerous Ugandan families, many of whom have been living in uncertainty regarding the fate of their loved ones who travelled to Saudi Arabia with a hope of making a livelihood and supporting their families back in Uganda,” Anyakun noted.

The Ugandan delegation’s success in securing this pardon is a testament to the growing cooperation between the two nations in managing labour migration. The government of Uganda through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development as the regulator continues to pay keen attention to the issue of enhancing the protection of its migrant workers abroad and ensuring that labour migration is safe, secure, orderly and regular and, particularly in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia as the key destination for labour migration in Uganda.

In addition, the Ugandan delegation which comprised of the Ambassador of Uganda to Saudi Arabia, Uganda’s labour attaché to Saudi Arabia and other technical officers from the Ministry focused their discussions on addressing the key challenges affecting Ugandan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, strengthening bilateral relations and documenting distressed cases in order to enhance their repatriation to Uganda.

With this development, Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development reaffirms its commitment to improving the standards of labour externalization through strategic bilateral partnerships. 

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