UBOS Celebrates 35th African Statistics Day in Kampala: Innovation, Inclusion and Trust in Data at Forefront
Kampala, Uganda
Today, Tuesday 18th.November 2025, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) marks the 35th African Statistics Day at its headquarters in Kampala — Statistics House. The event, drawing government officials, development partners, statisticians, civil society, and private-sector data users, centers on how innovation in data and statistics can build a just, peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Africa.
What’s Happening Today
As part of the celebration, UBOS is hosting a full-day programme including:
A public lecture on the role of modern data systems in national development.
Panel discussions on linking administrative data with survey data, ensuring under-represented populations are counted.
Technology demonstrations, showcasing tools for digital data collection, real-time dashboards, and data integration.
Recognition awards for individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to statistical production or data use.
These activities are part of a larger Africa Statistics Week (12th–21st November 2025), in which UBOS and other national statistical offices across Africa engage in events to raise public awareness about the importance of reliable data.
Why It Matters
Evidence-based Policy-Making: Reliable statistics are a critical foundation for designing policies, making investments, and tracking progress on development goals. Without accurate data, decision-makers risk misallocating resources.
Fighting Misinformation: In an era of fake news and disinformation, UBOS emphasizes the need for authentic, verified data. As its Public Relations Officer, Didacus Okoth, said, “we must prioritize the use of credible statistics to guide national and regional development.”
Inclusive Growth: The theme of this year’s celebration — “Leveraging Innovation in Data and Statistics to Promote a Just, Peaceful, Inclusive and Prosperous Society for Africans” — underscores UBOS’s commitment to ensuring that traditionally marginalized groups (rural communities, refugees, minorities) are visible in the data and not left behind.
Sustainable Development Goals & Agenda 2063: Trustworthy statistics play a central role in monitoring the UN SDGs and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Capacity Building & Digital Transformation: UBOS is increasingly investing in digital tools, administrative-data systems, and staff training — building a modern statistical infrastructure better suited for 21st-century challenges.
What to Watch
As the event unfolds, here are key things to watch for (and report on):
- New Technology Launches
Whether UBOS rolls out any new data collection or dashboard tools — for instance, mobile / tablet-based survey systems or integrated administrative-data platforms.
- Partnership Announcements
New partnerships with development agencies, private data firms, or academia. These could accelerate data innovation, joint research or capacity building.
- Policy Commitment Signals
Speeches from senior government officials (e.g., from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development) may include commitments to increase funding for statistical systems, data infrastructure, or open-data initiatives.
- Recognition Awards
Individuals and institutions receiving awards: who they are, what they did, and how their work strengthens Uganda’s statistical ecosystem.
- Public Engagement
How UBOS communicates with the public: are there outreach campaigns, media briefings, or community-level engagements that make the importance of statistics more accessible to ordinary citizens?
- Long-Term Roadmap
Any announcements about UBOS’s strategic plans for data modernization: expansion of administrative data, improving data timeliness, or scaling up underrepresented population surveys.
