Lira Police, Prisons enumerators trained ahead of census

As Uganda gears up for the forthcoming national census, preparations are in high gear in different districts across Lango Sub-region with most districts commencing the preparations with the training of numerators.

The training includes equipping the enumerators with essential skills and knowledge including the use of the new gadgets currently being delivered to the districts by Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).

This, according to the local leaders is meant to ensure the field officers effectively carry out their duties during the upcoming census.

Lawrence Egole, the Resident City Commissioner for Lira City said the leadership has also taken the initiative to engage different churches in the city to participate in mobilising the locals.

“This week we are planning to begin approaching a certain group of people including bus parks and markets to sensitise the residents on the upcoming census,” Egole told Nile Post.

However, while most districts embark on training, the Lira City speaker, Patrick Okwir said the city has yet to receive materials for the census, including tablets to be used by the numerators.

Okwir, told Nile Post that the authorities have also taken the initiative to train staff at the Prison and Police to help during the exercise at the facilities.

“We have members of the forces including the prisons and Uganda Police who have also been trained. They are expected to train selected officers who will help us during the exercise,” said Okwir.

For his part, Daniel Sentamu Kabunga, the deputy Resident District Commissioner for Lira District warned the enumerators against disclosing sensitive information being collected during the census.

This he says will encourage the locals to provide accurate information during the exercise.

“I want to send a message to the enumerators and their supervisors, please, let us keep what we call confidentiality. This is all about census not about knowing personal information about others,” says Kabunga.

Recognizing the pivotal role that local institutions play in fostering community engagement, the leaders have called upon churches to rally their congregations and encourage widespread involvement in the census.