Experts have urged Uganda and the wider continent to strengthen innovation in data production and dissemination to support a just, peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Africa.
The call was made during a professional seminar held on Monday by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).
Presenting on responsible access to information, Ms Florence Nambooze, Chairperson of the CUUL e-Resources Functional Committee, warned participants against unethical use of digital materials.
“Downloading and redistribution of e-resources for commercial use is unethical and illegal!” she said.
She noted that UBOS staff serve as “the national data refinery,” responsible for presenting high-quality statistics to policymakers, researchers and the public.
Ms Nambooze called for a shift from internal institutional awareness to active public engagement as demand for official data grows.
She also highlighted UBOS’s wide range of digital dissemination tools, including the official website, micro-data portal, census portal, SDG portal, agricultural statistics portal, visualisation portal, the new census AI chatbot and the UG-Stats mobile app.
Mr Ezra Bwambale, presenting on the digital economy, explained that digital technologies contribute around 5% of global GDP and 3% of employment, with the Global South recording the fastest growth.
Africa’s internet economy contributes only 1% of GDP, he said, but holds significant potential as connectivity increases.
He stressed the need for UBOS to improve measurement of digital economic activities so that policy reflects their growing importance.
Bwambale also noted Uganda’s rising internet penetration, which jumped from 25% in 2017 to 64% in 2023, driven largely by affordable smartphones.
In his remarks, the UBOS Executive Director, Dr Chris Mukiza commended presenters and participants for their contributions.
“We have seen through today’s presentations how UBOS continues to innovate, whether through research, the integration of administrative data, or the improvement of our dissemination channels.”
He reaffirmed UBOS’s role in building a knowledge-driven institution that supports evidence-based development and national transformation.
“As we commemorate Statistics Week, let us renew our commitment to excellence and to the vision of a just, peaceful, inclusive and prosperous society powered by reliable data and sound evidence.”
He encouraged staff to maintain a spirit of learning and uphold the highest professional standards.