The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has cited inadequate funds as a key bottleneck that may affect the conduct of the Population and Housing Census scheduled for August 2023.

The State Minister for Finance in charge of Planning Amos Lugoloobi raised the concern during the launch of the National Census Council that will be chaired by the 3^rd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Without Portfolio,  Lukia Nakadama Isanga.

The National Census Council which has representation from various relevant government agencies will oversee the process before and after the census.

The National Population and Housing Census is a key tool for national planning and designing government programmes. It is held every ten years and the last one was conducted in 2014.  Minister Lugoolobi said that the National Census helps, among others, in tracking the population growth rate and the absolute number of people.

According to the Hon. Lugoolobi 336 billion shillings is needed to successfully conduct the census. Some of the items to be procured include digital devices that shall be used in the activity. The minister said that the government has already set aside some of the funds but more is needed.

The money will also be used to train the personnel in different regions of the country. A total of 110,000 enumerators are expected to take part in the census, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics that will conduct the exercise.

The Deputy Prime Minister Lukia Nakadama, urged the public to cooperate and ensure that they are counted during the census.

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics last conducted Population and Housing Census in 2014. The exercise should have been done a year earlier but the finance ministry cited lack of adequate funds for the postponement.

Gloria