The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Toro Kingdom to improve how data and statistics are created, shared, and used for planning and development. The agreement, which comes after two years of waiting, was signed at the UBOS headquarters in Kampala and witnessed by senior officials from both institutions. The partnership is expected to strengthen cooperation and promote better decision-making based on accurate information.
Speaking at the event, Dr Chris Mukiiza, the Executive Director and National Statistician at UBOS, said the agreement will make work easier and more efficient. He explained that UBOS will now be able to access statistics from Toro Kingdom at no cost, simply by requesting the information. This will save both time and resources, which would otherwise be spent collecting data independently. He added that without such an agreement, UBOS would incur high costs when gathering statistics from the Kingdom.
Dr. Mukiiza also noted that the strong relationship between UBOS and Toro Kingdom began during the 2024 National Housing and Population Census. He praised the Kingdom for providing highly skilled and professional enumerators who carried out their work without bias. This cooperation helped build trust between the two institutions, from the grassroots level to the central government. To further strengthen this partnership, UBOS plans to establish a statistics committee and create a dedicated unit to support data sharing and collaboration.
He emphasized that reliable statistics are essential for growth and development. With accurate data, Toro Kingdom will be able to plan its budget more effectively and avoid mistakes such as underestimating or overestimating financial needs. Decisions will now be based on facts rather than rumours, leading to better outcomes for the people.
On his part, Armstrong Akiiki Rwomiire, the Prime Minister of Toro Kingdom, welcomed the agreement and expressed readiness to implement it fully. He explained that although discussions between UBOS and the Kingdom began in 2024, progress was delayed due to a change in administration. Now, both sides are committed to putting the agreement into action.
Rwomiire added that the recent census results have already provided valuable information about the Kingdom. With clear data on population and other key factors, the Kingdom can now plan better, allocate resources more effectively, and address important issues with confidence.
In conclusion, the agreement between UBOS and Toro Kingdom marks a significant step toward using data as a tool for development. By working together, the two institutions are setting a strong example of how cooperation and accurate statistics can lead to smarter planning and improved livelihoods.
