UBOS Launches Education Census in Tororo

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has launched a mass sensitization campaign in Tororo District ahead of a nationwide baseline educational services census, which begins in the eastern region on June 8, 2025.

The census aims to create a comprehensive inventory of formal educational institutions, generating crucial data to enhance planning and resource allocation within the education sector.

Speaking to the press at the Tororo District Chairperson’s office, Didacus Okoth, the Principal Public Relations Officer at UBOS, emphasized the importance of stakeholder cooperation in ensuring the success of the exercise.

Over 2,000 enumerators will be deployed across the eastern region for the nearly month-long exercise, following a successful rollout in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area in April.

“This census goes beyond the usual headcount. We are gathering detailed information on learners, teachers, and school infrastructure to provide a complete picture of the educational landscape. This data will be invaluable to the Ministry of Education for planning, policy formulation, and evidence-based decision-making,” Okoth explained.

He noted that the census will collect comprehensive data, including learner details (name, date of birth, sex, nationality, and learner identification number), teacher information (name, date of birth, sex, nationality, teacher identification number, and qualifications), and information on other school support staff.

Institutional data will also be captured, including the Education Management Information System (EMIS) number, operational status, and precise location down to the village level. All levels of education, from pre-primary to university, both public and private, will be included in the exercise.

Tororo District Chairperson John Okea underscored the program’s importance for informed budget planning and equitable resource distribution.

“This is not just a protocol, it’s essential,” Okea stressed. He urged all heads of institutions and parents to cooperate fully and provide accurate information.

“The data will be used to identify critical shortages in teachers, resources, and infrastructure,” he said, citing instances of schools operating with far fewer teachers than classrooms.

Okea also highlighted the insufficiency of Universal Primary Education (UPE) funding and the lack of adequate facilities in many schools. He expressed hope that the census will provide the evidence needed to advocate for increased funding and targeted resource allocation.

“By identifying specific needs—such as shortages of subject-specific teachers and gaps in infrastructure—the census may inform strategic recruitment and teacher training initiatives,” he added.

Following the completion of exercises in the eastern, Buganda, and Greater Kampala regions, the census will expand to cover other parts of the country.

UBOS has called for full cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure the success of this vital national exercise.