By Jumah Kakomo
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) will join other Africa National Statistical Organisations (NSOs) to celebrate the Africa Statistics Week from 18th -22nd November 2024. Every year the Bureau celebrates Africa Statistics Week. The annual event is intended to increase statistical awareness in the respective countries. The major Objective of the week is to further increase public visibility, awareness and appreciation of quality statistics and their contribution to the attainment of National goals and priorities.
To the Statisticians, this week means a lot. It’s when they celebrate what they do. Generally it’s a week of loving, appreciating and devising means of making what they do better. To the users of statistics, it’s when they get to meet the producers and providers of statistics, a week to share and better understand statistics. The theme for the 2024 Africa Statistics Week is “Supporting Education by Modernizing Production of Fit for Purpose Statistics”
A number of events will be featured throughout the week. These are: High level engagement on 18th Monday, staff skills development on 19th Tuesday, Geo Information System (GIS) Day on 20th Wednesday, annual Gender Statistics Forum on 21st Thursday, and National Statisticians’ conference on 22nd Friday.
On 15th of Friday, UBOS conducted a Media engagement where different Media houses were invited and briefed on the activities of the week and urged the media houses to capture and document the proceedings of the different events. They were briefed on how to appreciate statistics and later how to report on them.
The acting head of media and public relations department at the bureau, Betty Nawoova says the Bureau in line with her mandate shall continuously avail a well-coordinated and all-inclusive platform necessary to take forward the gains of multi-stakeholder engagements on the data revolution whilst strengthening and enabling the interactions and relationships between state, non-state and private sector actors in the data production process.
She adds that the Bureau will also continue in increasing the demand and usability of official statistics for sustainable development. It is our dream therefore and with continued support from Development Partners, to have this High Level National Data Forum as an annual event. Together, we embrace ‘Better Data for Better Lives,” Betty stated.
The commissioner information dissemination, ministry of ICT and national Moses Watasa implored the media as guardians of information to report with integrity in an era where misinformation and disinformation run rampant saying their role is more crucial than ever
“Integrity in journalism means seeking truth, verifying facts, and presenting balanced perspectives. It means resisting sensationalism and click bait headlines that distort reality.” Watasa said.
Additionally, Watasa emphasized the consequences of compromised reporting:
“When we prioritize ratings over accuracy, we risk fueling division, perpetuating harmful stereotypes, and undermining trust in institutions.” He added
However, Watasa acknowledged the challenges journalists face:
“I know the pressures of deadlines, editorial constraints, and the allure of viral stories. But I also know that each of you has the power to shape public discourse and influence societal attitudes,” Watasa concluded
The spokesperson of Uganda prisons services Frank Baine data and statistics play a vital role in the growth and development of a country, serving as the backbone of informed decision making.
He stresses that they also use data and statistics to monitor inmate numbers, demographic, and movement, ensuring adequate facilities, staff, and resources among others.
However, Baine urged the general public specifically media fraternity to decentralize information to effectively reach a wider audience
