The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has commissioned 80 field data collectors to begin the 9th Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) 2026/27, a major national exercise that will generate important data to guide government planning, policy-making and development programmes across the country.
The data collectors completed a 15-day intensive training before being deployed. They have been organised into 16 teams, each headed by a Field Supervisor. To improve communication with respondents and ensure high-quality data collection, the teams were carefully formed based on language proficiency so that interviewers can effectively engage communities in different parts of Uganda.
The nationwide data collection exercise is expected to run for 12 months, giving UBOS enough time to reach sampled households and communities across the country. The survey will gather detailed information on the living conditions of Ugandan households and provide updated statistics on key socio-economic issues.
While commissioning the field teams, UBOS Executive Director Dr. Chris N. Mukiza urged the data collectors to carry out their work with professionalism, honesty and integrity. He reminded them to strictly observe the Oath of Secrecy and Oath of Office they took before deployment, stressing that all information collected from households must remain confidential.
Dr. Mukiza said the Uganda Bureau of Statistics Act, 1998 guarantees the protection of information provided by respondents and ensures the independence of official statistics. He warned the field officers never to disclose the identity or information of people who participate in the survey.
He also instructed the data collectors to record information exactly as provided by respondents without making any changes. According to him, accurate data is essential because it helps planners and policymakers make informed decisions that improve the lives of Ugandans.
The Executive Director further cautioned against indiscipline and poor performance, warning that officers who fail to meet the required standards could be dismissed and may not be considered for future survey assignments. He emphasized that reliable national statistics depend on credible and accurate data collected from the field.
The Uganda National Household Survey is one of the country’s most important statistical programmes. It collects information on education, health, housing conditions, food security, employment and household welfare. The findings help the government measure poverty levels, monitor social and economic changes, and evaluate the impact of development programmes.
UBOS released the findings of the 8th Uganda National Household Survey in May 2025. The new 9th Round of the survey will build on previous studies by providing updated and reliable statistics to support evidence-based planning, policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation of government programmes, while also informing public discussion on Uganda’s development priorities.
