Uganda Sets a New Standard for Digital Census
45.9 Million
People Registered
10 Days
to register everyone in Uganda
135,000
Field Staff Trained
Uganda conducts a National Population and Housing Census every ten year. This information is essential for understanding demographic shifts and informing sectors such as healthcare, education, and public services for their planning and development programs. For the first time, NPHC included refugees, ensuring accurate data collection on this rapidly growing population. The aim was to improve their well-being and social cohesion.
Project
Solution: National Census
Region: Uganda
Year: 2024
Paper-based Census Was No Longer Reliable
Due to its diverse terrain and remote areas, Uganda faced significant challenges with traditional paper-based censuses. Fragile documents were at risk of damage during transport, while manual data entry often caused delays and inaccuracies.
UBOS Goes Digital
For the 2024 Census, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) aimed to achieve several ambitious goals:
Improve data accuracy by ensuring that all households, including those in rural areas, are reached.
Expedite processing by collecting census data within 10 days, guaranteeing an accurate population snapshot.
Reduce costs associated with paper-based systems, including printing, transport, and storage expenses.
To achieve these objectives, UBOS conducted its first fully digital census in partnership with Laxton.
Training Over 135,000 Field Staff
Efficiently training over 135,000 field staff was essential to the success of the digital census. Laxton employed a train-the-trainer approach to train UBOS staff, who then educated enumerators nationwide. To support this effort, Laxton provided user manuals and video tutorials on data collection and device troubleshooting, ensuring the staff was well-prepared to conduct large-scale digital censuses and surveys.
Commissioning 120,000 tablets
Laxton conducted thorough quality checks at a secure warehouse in Kampala to ensure the equipment was in optimal working condition and delivered on time. This warehouse also served as a storage base for spare parts needed for warranty purposes, facilitating issue resolution and the commissioning of all 120,000 tablets through a careful step-by-step procedure. Laxton supplied 39,000 tablets that were equipped with fingerprint scanners.
In the warehouse, the tablets were unpacked and prepared for distribution.
Fine-tune the Process
To guarantee the smooth operation of devices and census processes, a two-phase pilot test was conducted across 16 districts. This exercise allowed UBOS and Laxton to identify and address potential issues before the official rollout. Laxton’s flexibility in delivering the equipment in four batches was crucial for meeting project deadlines.
GPS-Enhanced Census Mapping
Digital census mapping was conducted to create digitised Enumeration Areas (EAs), update geographical lists, and build an infrastructure database. Laxton’s devices, integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS) technology based on GPS, played a critical role in this process. This functionality helped:
Create accurate digitised EAs
Ensure enumerators identify their assigned areas, guaranteeing complete coverage
Collect necessary information for planning the distribution of human resources and materials
Data Segmentation and Tracking
To ensure accurate data collection, the country was divided into manageable sections like provinces, districts, and streets, with data segmented into 40,000 portions. Enumerators used Laxton tablets pre-loaded with data for their areas. The tablets handled large daily uploads, enabling efficient tracking of census progress. Field management, including data monitoring and staff performance, was automated, and in Greater Kampala, advanced satellite imagery was used to ensure total coverage.
Everyone Counted
Everyone in Uganda on the designated census period was counted, including foreign diplomats and citizens. Special arrangements were made to enumerate institutions, the floating population, and guests in accommodation facilities. Enumerators needed easy-to-carry and user-friendly devices to ensure they could reach everyone within 10 days.
Benefits of the Digital Approach
The digital census provided several key benefits:
Accurate Data Collection: GPS and digital tools ensured precise data collection, reducing errors common in paper-based methods.
Cost-Effective Operations: The digital approach lowered operational costs by eliminating the need for paper and reducing manual processing.
Timely Results: Faster data processing allowed for preliminary results within a month.
Data Security: Multi-layer data protection during transmission and storage, with restricted server access and encrypted data to ensure confidentiality.
Census Covered 45.9 Million People
The digital census achieved remarkable results, underscoring the transformative impact of digital technology on national census exercises. Uganda’s population was recorded at 45.9 million, a significant increase from previous years. The census provided detailed data on household sizes, population density, and regional distributions, which will be used to inform Uganda’s national development strategies. Laxton’s contribution was pivotal in achieving comprehensive, accurate, and timely data collection within ten days, helping to unlock the potential for enhanced civic engagement and facilitating informed decision-making processes to lay the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable society.
Setting a Benchmark for Future Censuses
Uganda’s NPHC 2024 has set a new standard for data collection, serving as a model for other countries looking to optimise their census processes. Integrating biometric data and secure data management systems ensured high levels of accuracy and security, reducing errors and providing reliable information for future analysis. The comprehensive training program also contributed to sustainable capacity building within Uganda’s statistical system. Additionally, UBOS plans to repurpose the devices for upcoming elections, ensuring long-term value and continued utility.
