Samuel Amanya
Isaac Turyazayo, the district Planner of Rukungiri, has urged residents across the district and the nation as a whole to remain at home and ensure their participation in the upcoming population census scheduled for May 10, 2024.
The census initiative, initiated by HE Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda, has designated May 10 as a public holiday to facilitate the counting of all Ugandans within their residences.
Turyazayo emphasized that every individual will be enumerated based on their whereabouts on the night of May 9. He assured that census forms will be distributed to various establishments such as hotels, hospitals, and prisons to ensure the inclusion of all individuals present at the time of the census.
Ahimbisibwe Wilberforce Ongom, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Rukungiri district, cautioned against any interference with the census process, warning of consequences for those found culpable. He underscored the census’s importance in facilitating better service delivery, particularly in healthcare and other essential services.
Ongom also issued a stern warning to census enumerators, urging them to adhere strictly to census-related inquiries and procedures. He emphasized that any deviation from their assigned duties could result in legal repercussions.
Hon Caledonia Bakironda, the secretary for Education, Social Services, and Tourism in Rukungiri district, encouraged widespread participation in the census, emphasizing its role in government planning for the population. She clarified that the census aims to enumerate all individuals residing in Uganda, regardless of their nationality.
Bakironda assured the public that census enumerators have undergone rigorous training and have sworn oaths of confidentiality to safeguard individuals’ private information. She emphasized that any breach of this oath would be subject to legal action.
Kyomukama Geoffrey, the Chairperson of the LC 5 in Rukungiri district, called upon village chairpersons to support census enumerators in their respective communities, noting that they would be compensated for their assistance. He urged residents to provide accurate information to enumerators, emphasizing that the census is crucial for effective national planning.
