The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) recently released the final report from the nationwide census, but it has raised more questions than answers. Following the release, many Ugandans began scrutinizing the figures and expressing concerns over unexpected changes in population numbers. Several tribes, in particular, showed surprising results, leading to widespread confusion and doubt about the accuracy of the data.
One key observation was that while some ethnic groups saw their populations increase significantly, others experienced sharp declines. The previous census report indicated that the Buganda people remained the most populous ethnic group, followed by the Banyankole and the Basoga. However, the latest numbers brought unexpected revelations regarding other tribes.
The Acholi tribe, which had 2,131,443 members according to the 2014 census, now appears to have dropped to 1,941,913 people—a decrease of nearly 190,000. Similarly, the Gisu population fell from 2,390,975 in 2014 to 2,096,149 in the latest census.
In contrast, the Bakiga tribe showed a dramatic rise from 1,470,884 people to an astounding 2,947,886, nearly doubling their population. Similarly, the Langi population increased significantly, jumping from 1,647,382 to 2,703,277.
These discrepancies led to immediate action from UBOS. In response to the public outcry, the report was swiftly removed from their website. Many were left questioning the accuracy of the census results and the reliability of the data presented.
UBOS officials, including spokesperson Betty Nawoova, have since offered explanations for the errors. According to Nawoova, mistakes were made in how some of the population figures were recorded and allocated to different tribes. She explained that in 2014, some tribes were mistakenly given figures that did not belong to them.
“For example, the Bakiga were initially reported to have a population of 1,470,884, but those figures actually belonged to the Acholi tribe. Similarly, the Langi were reported as having 1,647,382 people, which should have been the Gisu’s population count,” Nawoova explained.
UBOS has provided corrected figures, which are as follows:
Acholi tribe: 1,941,913
Bagishu tribe: 2,096,149
Bakiga tribe: An increase of 556,862 members, not the nearly one million as previously reported.
Langi tribe: 2,703,277
Nawoova admitted that these errors were embarrassing but emphasized that mistakes can happen, and UBOS is committed to ensuring that the correct data is shared with the public. Despite the confusion, UBOS has affirmed that Uganda’s total population now stands at 45,905,417.
While UBOS continues to address concerns, many Ugandans are still questioning how such significant errors occurred in the first place and whether the updated figures truly reflect the country’s demographics.
In Uganda, there seems to be a growing concern regarding the practice of hiring unqualified or inexperienced individuals, particularly in various organizations, including government offices like UBOS (Uganda Bureau of Statistics). This issue is often attributed to nepotism or favoritism, where jobs are given based on personal connections, such as tribal affiliations or family lineage, rather than on merit and qualifications.
Such practices not only undermine the professionalism of these institutions but also lead to inefficiencies, errors, and poor service delivery. Hiring decisions should be based on qualifications, competence, and experience to ensure the effective functioning of organizations and foster public trust in these institutions.
