UBOS launches Africa Statistics Week 2025

12 November 2025, 5:07 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Following the Addis Ababa Plan of Action for Statistical Development in Africa in May 1990, African countries adopted the celebration of African Statistics Day, which was officially launched in November of the same year. The day aims to raise public awareness about the critical role of statistics in shaping social and economic development across the continent.

It is against this background that today, at Statistics House in Kampala, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) officially launched the Africa Statistics Week 2025, to be held under the theme “Leveraging Innovations in Data and Statistics to Promote a Just, Peaceful, Inclusive, and Prosperous Society for Africans.”

While addressing journalists on behalf of the Executive Director, Dr. Chris Mukiza, the Principal Public Relations Officer at UBOS, Didacus Okoth, stated that a number of activities will take place throughout the week, running from today until 21 November 2025.

“In celebration of innovations, we will showcase the latest technological advancements in data collection, analysis, and dissemination to enhance the quality of statistical production in Uganda. We are also promoting inclusivity by engaging stakeholders from various sectors, including government, the private sector, academia, civil society, and the general public, to discuss statistical programs and outputs,” Okoth said.

He added that the Bureau will also focus on promoting collaboration by strengthening partnerships among data producers, suppliers, and users, sharing best practices in statistical production processes, and enhancing effective data utilization. Additionally, UBOS aims to empower communities by educating the public on the importance of quality statistics in planning, evidence-based decision-making, and public debate.

According to the statement, the Bureau will undertake various activities during Africa Statistics Week, including dissemination of the National Governance, Peace, and Security Survey Report, media engagements to share statistical information, a blood donation drive as part of corporate social responsibility aimed at saving lives, and the Annual Gender Statistics Forum, among others.

The public is encouraged to follow these activities through UBOS’s social media platforms, as physical attendance is by invitation only.

Additionally, UBOS has urged politicians to use only official statistics provided by the Bureau rather than misleading the public with unauthenticated data.

“We urge politicians to use the right statistical information from UBOS, not from elsewhere. We also appeal to the media to continue disseminating accurate information as provided by the Bureau. We are aware of some minor issues, but in case anything requires our response, we are always available,” Didacus said.