The Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Albert Byamugisha, has commended the government for what he described as sustained investment in Uganda’s education sector, saying universal education policies have transformed millions of lives.
Speaking during the dissemination of the Baseline Education Census 2025 report, Byamugisha said the report would strengthen evidence-based planning and improve service delivery across the education sector.
“Your presence demonstrates the continued national commitment towards strengthening evidence-based planning, policy formulation, and service delivery in Uganda,” Byamugisha said while addressing government officials, education stakeholders and development partners.
He praised the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni and the National Resistance Movement government for prioritising education over the years.
“The introduction of Universal Primary Education in 1997 and Universal Secondary Education in 2007 remains one of the most transformative social policies in Uganda’s history,” he said.
According to Byamugisha, the introduction of Universal Primary Education significantly boosted school enrolment nationwide.
“The introduction of Universal Primary Education in 1997 increased primary school enrollment from about 2.5 million learners in the mid-1990s to over 8 million learners within a few years,” he noted.
He added that Universal Secondary Education, introduced in 2007, expanded access to secondary education, especially for children from rural and low-income households.
“These interventions opened opportunities for millions of Ugandan children, especially those from vulnerable and low-income households, to access education regardless of their socio-economic background,” he said.
Byamugisha also applauded the Ministry of Education and Sports led by First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni for supporting the census exercise and promoting data-driven planning.
“We particularly thank the ministry for demanding and supporting the undertaking of the Baseline Education Census 2025 and for actively participating throughout the entire exercise,” he said.
He noted that continued government support for statistical production reflects recognition of the importance of reliable data in national development.
“This demonstrates government recognition that quality statistics are indispensable for national planning, budgeting, monitoring, and accountability,” Byamugisha emphasized.
The UBOS board chairperson further congratulated the bureau’s management and staff for producing timely and credible national statistics.
“As a board chairman, I am proud that UBOS continues to position itself as a center of excellence in official statistics and a strong pillar in Uganda’s development planning architecture,” he said.
Byamugisha also appreciated local governments, school administrators, teachers, enumerators and field supervisors for contributing to the successful implementation of the education census.
“The quality of statistics we are launching today is a result of your commitment, cooperation, patriotism, and hard work,” he added.
The Baseline Education Census 2025 report is expected to provide updated national data on learners, staffing, infrastructure and learning conditions to support planning and policy formulation in the education sector.