UBOS Fourth Cohort Graduates from NALI 

The National Leadership Institute (NALI) has passed out the fourth cohort of staff from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) after successfully completing a four-week Transformative and Leadership Development Course aimed at strengthening patriotism, strategic thinking, ideological orientation and leadership capacity within the Bureau.

The graduation ceremony, held on Sunday, 26th July 2026, at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi District, marked another milestone in UBOS’ commitment to building a highly competent and values-driven workforce capable of producing quality official statistics that support Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

Representing the Executive Director of UBOS, Dr. Chris N. Mukiza, the Deputy Executive Director, Dr. Vincent Fred Ssenono, congratulated the graduates upon successfully completing the programme and challenged them to apply the leadership principles and values acquired during the training in executing the Bureau’s mandate.

Speaking on the theme, “Data as the Bedrock of National Transformation,” Dr. Ssenono said the course had broadened participants’ understanding of Uganda’s development aspirations while strengthening their capacity to contribute to national transformation through evidence-based statistics.

“The time you have spent at NALI has been about sharpening your understanding of Uganda and aligning your professional expertise with the country’s broader aspirations. You have not simply been here to learn statistics, but to better understand the nation you serve,” he said.

Dr. Ssenono described NALI as a cradle of leadership that has nurtured many of Uganda’s great political, military and public-sector leaders, noting that the institution continues to shape disciplined, patriotic and visionary public servants.

He reminded the graduates that UBOS exists to produce official statistics that inform national development and urged them to ensure that the data generated by the Bureau remains credible, timely and relevant to Uganda’s socio-economic development priorities.

“Official statistics should extend beyond the production of reports. They must provide evidence that informs policy formulation, guides national planning and improves service delivery across sectors such as health, education and agriculture,” he emphasized.

He noted that Uganda’s aspirations under Vision 2040 and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) require public servants who understand not only how to produce statistics, but also why those statistics matter in improving the lives of citizens.

He further challenged the graduates to become purpose-driven leaders by embracing strategic thinking, mentoring colleagues, upholding discipline, integrity and hard work, and serving as ambassadors of the values instilled during the training.

“As custodians of Uganda’s official statistics, you have a responsibility to ensure that the data produced by the Bureau remains credible, timely and relevant to the country’s development agenda,” he said.

Dr. Ssenono thanked the management and facilitators of the National Leadership Institute for their commitment to developing competent public-sector leaders and commended UBOS Management for its continued investment in staff capacity development. He urged the graduates to return to their duty stations ready to apply the knowledge, leadership skills and patriotic values acquired during the course to strengthen Uganda’s National Statistical System and support evidence-based decision-making across Government.

In his remarks during the pass-out ceremony, the Director of the National Leadership Institute, Col. Okei Rukogota, commended the UBOS participants for their exemplary conduct, patriotism and commitment throughout the four-week programme.

“I want to thank you for having been brilliant, willing and patriotic students throughout your stay here. Although I may not have spent much time with you physically, I received daily reports on your progress, your patriotic zeal and your commitment to the programme. I am delighted that you have emerged as such a great team,” he said.

Col. Rukogota applauded UBOS for entrusting NALI with the responsibility of nurturing transformational leaders capable of supporting Uganda’s national development agenda and commended the NALI faculty and support staff for successfully conducting the programme alongside several other national leadership courses involving participants from the security services and other government institutions.

Reflecting on the transformation of the participants, he encouraged the graduates to view leadership as a continuous journey of growth, service and self-improvement.

“When you came here, you were different. Today, you leave with a deeper appreciation of leadership and national service. Leadership is never complete; it is continually refined through service, sacrifice and commitment. The true test of leadership is demonstrated in the struggles you overcome and the contribution you make to society,” he said.

The Transformative and Leadership Development Course forms part of UBOS’ broader staff development programme aimed at nurturing transformational leaders capable of delivering quality official statistics that drive national planning and sustainable socio-economic development.

The ceremony concluded with an award of certificates to participants who pledged to uphold the values of patriotism, professionalism, discipline, integrity and excellence as they continue serving the Bureau and the nation.