The Uganda Bureau of Statistics speaks out on its recently published 2024 census results after discovering errors in the population figures for four ethnic groups: the Bakiga, the Bagisu, the Acholi, and the Langi.
According to UBOS, the 2024 figures for the four tribes were mistakenly interchanged, leading to inaccurate representations of population changes.
Speaking during a media breakfast at Serena Hotel, UBOS deputy ED Vincent Ssenono said the error was made in 2014 figures, adding that there was nothing wrong with the 2024 figures.
UBOS Executive Director, Dr.Chris Mukiza chipped in to explain the error.
“The population of Bakiga was swapped with that of Bagisu and it is a human error. I am convinced we did a very good job,” he said.
“The only problem was at the final reporting and no body saw it. The population of Bakiga was swapped and that was all. That doesn’t dent the credibility of the census report. We need to style up as a country.”
“One person said he was not counted but would that change the figures? I you had been counted, would that change the fertility rate for women? Would that one person change the life expectancy? It is more than the total count.”
The UBOS deputy ED explained that the population of almost all major tribes grew from the 2014 data.
As UBOS, we say to error is human. When you note an error, you call the public and inform them of it
there was no error in the number of Catholics, Anglicans and Muslims as had been claimed.
Ssenono said whereas there was growth in the numbers in these three religions, the growth rate was not as big as others.
“Statistics meant that the population of Catholics, Muslims and Anglicans is growing at a lower rate than other religions. The population for Roman Catholics increased from 13,426520 to 16612537 but in terms of percentage relative to total population, it remains slow but doesn’t mean total population is reducing,” Ssenono said.
UBOS insisted that the error was a small matter to make a fuss out of, insisting that the data is very credible .