UBOS hosts Africa Statistics Week, launches key gender reports

25 November 2024, 11:16 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) hosted Africa Statistics Week in Kampala from November 18th to 22nd, 2024. As part of the activities, journalists were trained to report accurately based on verified information, emphasising the media’s role in providing trusted information to the public. The theme for the week was “Supporting Education by Modernising the Production of Fit-for-Purpose Statistics.”

During the event, Frank Baine, the spokesperson for the Uganda Prisons Service, encouraged government spokespersons to conduct thorough research before sharing information. He remarked, “As spokespersons of government agencies, we need to be researchers to provide reliable information to the public because whatever we say is taken seriously.” Baine also emphasised the need for boldness among government spokespersons.

UBOS expressed heartfelt gratitude to all blood donors who participated in the blood donation drive held during Africa Statistics Week. In collaboration with the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, UBOS successfully collected 464 units of blood.

This initiative aimed to support nursing mothers, children, accident victims, and anemic patients. Collection centers included Statistics House, Kyaliwajjala Trading Centre, Luwum Street, Kasangati Trading Centre, Namugongo Trading Centre, and Ntinda Trading Centre. Additionally, three thematic gender reports were launched during the 7th Annual Gender Statistics Forum by Hon. Peace Mutuuzo, the Minister of State for Gender and Culture. These reports included: The National Priority Gender Equality Indicators of Uganda, Women in the Labor Force in Uganda and Women and Men in Uganda

Speaking at the launch event held at Silver Springs Hotel in Kampala, Hon. Mutuuzo highlighted Uganda’s leadership in implementing affirmative action for women, describing it as a significant milestone in statistical history. She stated, “Women attend church in large numbers, not because they have bigger problems than men, but because they go to report their husbands to God due to the gender-based violence they face.”

Ms. Paulina Chiwangu, the United Nations Women Representative to Uganda, commended the country for its advancements in gender data. She remarked, “Uganda is the model for the National Statistical System in Africa. It produces quality data that informs various development initiatives.”