In a deliberate effort to enhance data-driven decision making and support national development planning, the Government of Uganda through the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) donated and transferred a total of 5,195 tablets to 16 institutions, comprising four cultural kingdoms and twelve government institutions of higher learning. The handover took place on June 30, 2025, and marks a significant step in boosting the country’s capacity for research, data collection, and statistical analysis.
UBOS, which is legally mandated to coordinate the National Statistical System (NSS) and provide high-quality statistical services, initiated the exercise as part of its broader agenda to build statistical capacity and promote a culture of evidence-based planning and policymaking across institutions.
Cultural institutions such as kingdoms, and institutions of higher learning, play a unique and strategic role in the national data value chain. Kingdoms serve as custodians of communities, traditions, and local knowledge, making them vital partners in grassroots data mobilisation and sensitisation. Their deep-rooted engagement with communities makes them ideal conduits for disseminating statistical information and mobilising citizen participation in surveys and censuses.
Similarly, higher education institutions are centres of knowledge production and innovation. They not only teach research methods and statistics but also actively conduct studies that inform policy. Universities and teacher training institutions play a pivotal role in analysing data, training future statisticians, and promoting a culture of data use across sectors.
By equipping these institutions with digital tools, UBOS is bridging a critical gap in the national data infrastructure ensuring that the data collected is timely, accurate, and widely utilised.
The 5,195 tablets were distributed as follows: Buganda Kingdom (1,000), Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom (550), Busoga Kingdom (500), Rwenzururu Kingdom (120), and Higher Education Institutions (Transfers) included National Council for Higher Education (75), Makerere University (700), Kyambogo University (350), Lira University (200), Gulu University (200), Kabale University (200), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (350), Busitema University (200), Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (200), Soroti University (150), Makerere University Business School (250), and Muni University (150) tablets.
The tablets are password-free and come with power banks, designed to operate for up to four days without charging. This makes them highly suitable for fieldwork in remote or electricity-constrained areas.
“UBOS will be sharing 10% of the data collected and whenever one needs more information there will be required to submit some requirements,” Dr. Mukiza said, emphasising the Bureau’s commitment to data sharing while ensuring responsible access and security.
One of the key challenges Uganda has faced over the years is the underutilisation of collected data due to limited dissemination channels and lack of access to analytical tools. This strategic donation of tablets addresses these bottlenecks by empowering both cultural and educational institutions to be active players in data generation, use, and feedback.
The initiative will not only streamline the collection and use of statistics in key development sectors but will also foster collaboration across the NSS. By strengthening the capacity of cultural leaders and academic researchers, Uganda is taking a big leap toward more inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based governance.
In conclusion, UBOS’s move to donate and transfer tablets is not just about distributing devices, it is about deepening the culture of statistics in Uganda. It ensures that the people and institutions closest to the communities and development challenges are equipped to play their part in shaping Uganda’s future through data.
