The Executive Director and Chief Statistician of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Dr. Chris Mukiza, has called on National Statistical Offices (NSOs) across the globe to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing the production of timely, high-quality data. Dr. Mukiza made the remarks during a strategic benchmarking visit to the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, where he led a Ugandan delegation to learn from one of Asia’s most advanced statistical systems.
Dr. Mukiza highlighted UBOS’s progress in integrating AI and digital technologies across Uganda’s data value chain, citing the successful use of Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) devices in the recently concluded 2024 National Population and Housing Census. The innovation significantly improved efficiency, allowing UBOS to release the main census report in just six months — a milestone compared to the two-year timeframe in previous censuses.
The 2024 Census, which recorded Uganda’s population at 45.9 million, is already informing the implementation of the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and key government programs like the Parish Development Model, aimed at broadening financial inclusion and lifting citizens into the money economy.
The benchmarking visit included the UBOS Board of Directors, led by Chairman Dr. Albert Byamugisha, alongside members Dr. Jacob Opolot, Dr. Rogers Matte, Dr. Allen Kabagenyi, Ms. Rosette Nakavuma, Ms. Irene Birungi Mugisha, and Board Secretary Ms. Pamela Kansiime Ninsiima. They were joined by technical staff from UBOS including Ms. Sharon Apio, Mr. Roland Muhumuza, Ms. Faith Atuhurira, Mr. Ivan Mafigiri Kanyeheyo, and Ms. Faith Tushabe.
During the knowledge exchange, Mr. Leo Yu, Commissioner of the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, commended UBOS for its high statistical standards and openness to institutional collaboration. Discussions between the two agencies covered a wide range of critical topics including: labour and wage statistics, harmonization of administrative data, population projections, and the dissemination of statistics to inform evidence-based decision-making.
Ms. Wonder Yue, Assistant Commissioner for Labour Statistics, emphasized the importance of strengthening statistical literacy to promote the practical application and public understanding of data.
Dr. Byamugisha reaffirmed the role of effective corporate governance in ensuring quality data production, warning that the absence of structured oversight exposes statistical agencies to internal and external risks. He lauded Hong Kong’s practices as a roadmap to further position UBOS as a world-class National Statistical Office.
The two institutions agreed to deepen collaboration, particularly in harmonizing administrative data systems. While UBOS still relies primarily on face-to-face interviews, it is now exploring the integration of alternative data collection methods such as telephone interviews and online questionnaires, approaches widely adopted in Hong Kong.
As part of the visit, the UBOS Board also underwent training in advanced global governance areas, including risk management, AI strategy, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. These initiatives are designed to build long-term institutional resilience and reinforce the Bureau’s commitment to data integrity and transparency.
By leveraging lessons from Hong Kong, UBOS aims to elevate Uganda’s statistical infrastructure to meet international standards — ensuring that data remains a cornerstone of national development, policy planning, and socio-economic transformation.
