Dr. Chris Mukiza, the Executive Director of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), is facing backlash over mistakes in the recently released 2024 census results, but he’s not backing down.
“Some people are after my neck over errors, but I am going nowhere. Don’t expect any other census before 2034. This is the only one you’ll have. Whatever you want to quote, it will be this one,” he declared.
In a media briefing on Tuesday, Mukiza admitted there were mistakes but insisted that errors are a normal part of the process. He urged critics to shift their focus from personal attacks to more constructive discussions. “Errors are human and are made every day,” he said, shrugging off the public pressure.
Mukiza expressed his frustration, stating, “Everybody is on Mukiza’s neck. Why waste time on data? Why not say we want your neck?”
Despite the errors, Mukiza emphasized that the census results will remain the official data for Uganda’s national planning until the next census rolls around till the next population census in 2034.
The census report has stirred up anger, especially among ethnic and religious groups upset by unexpected changes in population numbers. One major issue was the misreporting of data for the Bakiga and Bagisu communities, where figures for the Bakiga were mistakenly attributed to the Bagisu in the initial release. Mukiza admitted this mistake and assured the public it has been fixed.
However, even with the corrections, dissatisfaction remains, with some questioning the reliability of the census and demanding more accountability from UBOS. Yet Mukiza stands strong, defending his leadership and the integrity of the statistics agency.
He also hinted that there might be personal motives behind the criticism, saying, “Enemies have been hunting me even before I became the ED,” suggesting that the attacks could be part of a larger effort to undermine him.
As the controversy over the 2024 census continues, UBOS pledges to maintain transparency and accuracy.
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