UBOS ED Chris Mukiza calls for innovative management of administrative data to guide decisions. 

As part of the activities to mark the Africa Statistics Day that falls in 18th November 2025, Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) is celebrating a whole week of activities to promote the use of quality statistical data in planning & evidence based decision-making in government, privates sector, academia among others  

The events will according to UBOS will showcase its statistical products and outputs to further strengthens the collaboration between UBOS and its various stakeholders.

The Executive Director UBOS Dr. Chris Mukiza urged all sector players to take advantage of the activities to enhance their use of administrative data to enhance their operations.

“Under the Fourth Plan for National Statistical Development (PNSD IV), every Ministry, Department, and Agency is expected to have/ establish an operational Statistical Unit to support production of quality statistical information. I urge all participants to use this public discourse as an opportunity to generate ideas that advance efficient collection and management of administrative data in Uganda” he said.

He highlighted that the collaboration with stakeholders is key in advancing innovation in data .

“The Bureau acknowledges that achieving this vision requires collaboration. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics continues to value and work with partner institutions to champion innovation in data systems” he said

He singled out such examples of such digital platforms including Electronic Court Case Management System, the Crime Records Management System, and the Prisons Management Information System as part of practical examples of innovation in administrative data.

Dr. Mukiza said that currently all Local Governments are now required to produce and submit their Annual Statistical Abstracts to guide resource allocation from the central government.

The Senior Superintendent of Prisons and Head of the Statistics Management Division, Mr. Ssempungu Apollo, pictured above, said that the Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has long relied on administrative data to guide management decisions adding that their data Transmission System, operates from the Commissioner General’s Planning Department through regional and district statistics offices to prison units with clerks and managers ensuring seamless data flow and accountability. 

He highlighted the importance of centralizing data to create a single, reliable source of information that supports effective planning, policy formulation, and evidence-based decision-making within the Uganda Police Force.

Mr. Bbosa Isaac Sserunkuma, Head of the Judiciary Statistics Unit, on his side me ruined that ovver the past 28 years, Uganda’s Judiciary has evolved from fragmented, stand-alone data systems to a nearly integrated digital ecosystem that anchors evidence-based justice delivery.

During this week as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility, UBOS will also partners with the Blood Transfusion Services, is conducting blood donation drives to support communities.

The week is running under the theme “Leveraging Innovations in Data and Statistics to Promote a Just, Peaceful, Inclusive, and Prosperous Society for Africans”

Mr. Didacus Okoth

This theme according to UBOS’s Senior Communications Officer Didacus Okoth echoes with the Bureau’s commitment to harness modern data production technologies to generate quality statistics for evidence-based planning and decision-making. 

Didacus added during the launch event that UBOS will collaborate with the fourth estate to share statistical information.

“Media partners are crucial in disseminating data to the wider public, this engagement continues throughout the week and beyond”

Other events includes celebration of the geo information day, annual gender statistics forum, Mesa engagement among others.