The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, has confirmed that her office will launch a comprehensive audit into the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) following public concerns about the inconsistencies in the provisional and final census results.
The probe comes after various stakeholders raised alarms about the uncoordinated data, prompting the IGG to step in and ensure transparency and accountability.
Speaking during the media briefing on Thursday, Kamya assured the public that the Inspectorate of Government will thoroughly investigate both the financial and operational aspects of the Census process.
“We shall definitely get involved in auditing, not only the amount received but also the processes undertaken,” Kamya stated. She emphasized that the IGG’s office will only speak authoritatively after a full investigation is conducted, ensuring that any irregularities are addressed.
She added that her office has also been reading in the papers the provisional results, and the final results where the public had serious issues with them and she assured the public that her office will soon launch a probe into the UBOS matters and soon will get all the answers.
“But I can assure you that when the Inspectorate of Government speaks, they should speak with authority after investigation,” she added.
Kamya also highlighted the IGG’s track record with UBOS, recalling a 2022 incident in which her office uncovered the misuse of nearly Shs1 billion by UBOS staff, who were later compelled to repay the embezzled funds.
“This is an interesting case, and I assure you that we shall get interested in this one,” she added, signalling her office’s readiness to act swiftly on any financial or procedural irregularities in the current census.
“I can even tell you that I think, in the other financial year, 2022, we made UBOS staff pay back almost Shs1 billion staff whom we find culpable of misusing government funds. We made them pay back up to 1 billion shillings. This is an interesting case which I assure you that we shall get interested in this one,” she noted.
Meanwhile, the probe tensions come at a time when the Executive Director of UBOS, Dr Chris Ndatira Mukiza on Tuesday categorically rejected assertions that the newly published census figures were deliberately altered to present skewed data.
He rather admitted that there were a few anomalies which he asserted could not make the entire process wrong. He emphasized that the transparency and professionalism of their work should reassure the public about the validity of the data provided.
“Errors are made every day, and the nature of data collection on a national scale is complex,” Dr. Mukiza explained. “We have implemented rigorous methods to ensure that our findings are as accurate as possible. The allegations of manipulation are unfounded and do not reflect the commitment of UBOS to serving the nation.”
He also acknowledged the importance of public trust in the census results, reminding the public that statistics play a crucial role in guiding national policies and resource allocation. Dr. Mukiza urged the media and the public to report on the census findings objectively, free from sensationalism. “Let’s focus on the facts rather than conjecture. We owe it to our country to ensure that discussions about data are rooted in evidence,” he asserted.
Apart from the anomalies in the census figure Dr Mukiza, also claims that there is a group (Mafias) fighting to see that he is fired; “Everywhere it’s Mukiza, even before I was appointed, so why are you all saying wrong data? Why don’t you say we want this man out of office? Why are you passing behind the door? We have told you that the figures you wrote in 2024 are perfect. The only issue is that we had a small anomaly; the population of Bakiga was swapped with that of Bagisu, Acholi, and Langi; that’s all. And that’s a human error, and because of that, it dents the credibility of the entire Census Report? We need to style up as a country; otherwise, we shall become a laughing stock,” he asserted.
Given Dr. Mukiza’s assertion, the IGG’s decision to investigate his team could open a Pandora’s box, potentially exposing a previously unseen power struggle within UBOS. This investigation may not only address the anomalies in the census figures but also shed light on deeper conflicts that have remained hidden until now.
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