We Are Not Here To Grab Your Land Or Levy Taxes On Your Properties-UBOS Assures Kasokosoko Residents

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) an independent body responsible for giving National Statistics and mandated to conduct National Housing and Population Census has every after 10 years, has assured the local Residents of Kasokosoko, Kiganda Zone in Kira Municipality that their presence in the area is not about grabbing their land or levy any property taxes. UBOS revealed this information to residents on Saturday during a community meeting was held at Kiganda LC 1.

 It was attended by Officials from UBOS, political leaders, security chiefs, officials from Wakiso district and local residents.

The meeting came after local residents chased away UBOS officials who had come to map the area ahead of National Census which is May. 

Paddy Galabuzi the Wakiso District planner assured the angry local residents that UBOS's job is only to conduct National Population Census. "These people are here to do activities before they make Census.

Do not think they are going to grab your land or levy any tax on your properties," Says Galabuzi. He further assured the residents that this time around they are using machines to capture information.

 "These machines are not surveying on your land so don't get scared and beat them up," he says.

 He also told residents to give protection to the Listers such that their machines and phones are not stolen.

"What these people are doing is good for you because they want to know how many people live in this place, what they do such that government can easily plan you," He says adding that government can not plan without knowing the number of people it has.

Didacus Okoth UBOS head Communication revealed to the residents that UBOS has nothing to do with land grabbing or levying taxes. 

"My good people of Kasokosoko UBOS does not grab land or levying taxes. Our role is to count you such that government can easily plan for you," he says. He added that this time UBOS uses GPS machine for mapping the area.

"These coordinates will help us to know how many hospitals, roads, schools, barracks are in the area," he says.

He added that in case there is a pregnant mother who needs help, the coordinates can easily tell where she is and the ambulance can reach quickly. 

He also says if fire guts any house, fire vehicles can easily come following coordinates. After along explanation, the local residents apologised to UBOS and accepted to give all the necessary information the listers would want. 

"We are sorry we were not informed about Census and when we saw people in our area with machines taking pictures we knew they wanted to grab our land," Says one of the local residents.

He added that they have lost their land in such manner and they are suspicious of people they don't know. 

"This village is one of the most densely populated in Kira Municipality and has a history powerful people who evict residents from their land," Says a Councilor.

She added that Town Clerk should have come before and inform the local residents about the upcoming census activities.

"We always have budget for information but people are not informed so it is the responsibility of town clerk to always inform the residents about government projects.