By Jane Nafula
A section of the census enumerators has tasked government to expedite the process of releasing their allowances.
They have also demanded that the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) considers increasing the quantity of census materials as this will ease the process of enumeration.
Some of the enumerators that were conducting the census exercise in Luteete -Kereziya village in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District said, they have not received a penny from government, as promised and have been forced to dig deep into their pockets to cater for transport and meals.
According to Prossy Nakakande, one the area enumerators, they were promised a daily allowance of Shs 50,000.
“We have never received any money. We have to struggle on our own to raise money for transport and lunch. We have to use our own money. We are hopeful that it will come but, we pray that it comes in time to make life easy,” said Nakakande.
She however says she only started the enumeration process on May 12, three days into the exercise that kicked off on May 9, saying the tablet she had been initially been allocated was faulty.
Hassan Kasirye, another enumerator from the same area also raised concerns about uncleared allowances and limited supply census materials such as pieces of chalk extended to them.
Although he didn’t specify the quantity given to him, he said what he had in stock was inadequate.
He is supposed to use the chalk to write the household number and the writings are expected to last for at least three months.
While addressing journalists at a weekly press briefing held at the police headquarters in Naguru, Dr Albert Byamugisha UBOS’ board-chairman said the issue of allowances was being worked upon.
Dr He revealed that enumerators from districts that had fully compiled the details of enumerators had already received the contentious facilitation.
The enumerators from Luteete also said that citizens had embraced the exercise and that that had not yet experienced any resistance from the audience.
“They were even calling us from a distance saying they had over-waited for us,” Nakakende said.
Every enumerator is expected to cover atleast 14 households on a daily basis.
Meawhile, KFM has also sampled out the views of some members of the public. Sylvia Nankabirwa, a resident of Luteete-Kereziya said this was her first time to be counted and that the questions were easy to answer.
Nankabirwa said she was optimistic that the she would benefit from the exercise.
“We were told that the information that we provide will bale government to plan for us. I think they will also find us some jobs because I was asked whether I work,” Nankabirwa a charcoal seller said.
However, Margret Nalugya from the same area was worried that they exercise will subject them to more taxes.
Julliet akasaga, a housewife from Luteete -Kereziya said she had been early waiting for the enumerators since Friday.
“I expected them on Friday but they didn’t show. I’m glad that they are finally here. I don’t have any problem with the exercise. We were told that census will help government to give us the services that we need such is healthcare,” she explained.
Meanwhile, UBOS officials have revealed that they would recruit more enumerators in greater Kampala to beef up the current number and expedite the process of enumeration.
Currently, it is estimated that a total of 6000 enumerators has been deployed in greater Kampala.
Dr Madina Guloba, a Senior Research Fellow at Economic Research Centre, Makerere University who doubles as a member of the 2024 national census advisory committee said solar, the exercise is on track.
According to UBOS 10 million people from 8.7 households have sofar been covered.
Dr. Guloba also noted the law allows the Uganda Bureau of Statistics to extend census period in case the targeted population is not covered within the stated census period.
“If lags or the delays become a little bit too much, then after the census, the Supplemental Act which governs UBOS on census and surveys, then they are mandated under Section 7 to extend if the board agrees,” she explained.
“They have to get the true picture of the population. A census is not like a survey a survey where you can’t do estimates. They have to get the actuals, so if the period allocated to the exercise is not adequate, they will have to extend it,” she added.
