KAMPALA — Dr. Chris Ndatira Mukiza is still at the helm of the national statistical system —the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) officials have said—dismissing reports that his contract has run out.
Dr. Mukiza, a celebrated statistician was appointed to the position in 2019 on a five-year spell. This means, his contract remains valid until March 2024, according to records seen by PML Daily.
“We are busy with preparations for the national census due later this year,” Dr. Mukiza was quoted as saying— telling reporters that “whoever says UBOS is in disarray because of a vacuum created by the alleged expiry of my contract lacks accurate information.”
Dr. Mukiza who joined the statistics body in the early 2000s also denied media reports he has been lobbying the Finance Minister for the renewal of his running contract.
“I have not talked to anyone about the renewal of my contract, which is still running,” said Mukiza— emphasizing that “claims that I met the President with the late Keith Muhakanizi for contract renewal are false.”
“In fact, it is unfortunate that this false news is being spread at a time when we are mourning a fallen technocrat and one of the great economists of our time,” he reiterated.
He said that data agency is paying attention to improving the performance of the institution ahead of the much sought-after maiden digital national census.
PML Daily understands that a UBOS Board retreat which ended on Thursday, April 20, generated key decisions that seek to upscale performance, among other parameters.
“We believe this will upscale our performance at the individual level, but most importantly as an institution,” he said.
A top official close to developments at UBOS told this website that ferocious fights have been senior managers seeking to replace Dr. Mukiza have been frequent.
The official didn’t give details of the alleged fighting but this website understands a number of senior managers are facing disciplinary action for acts of misconduct, spreading malicious information, and sabotage of institutional programs.
“We will not be diverted,” said Mukiza, in response to critics, adding, “We have so far mapped 48% of the enumeration areas in terms of coverage and are working hard to ensure we complete the remaining 52% by the end of June as we draw much closer to the census date of August 25, 2023.”
Mukiza said for the first time in Uganda’s history, UBOS was mapping the whole country using electronic gadgets in the form of digital tablets called Computer Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI), which they also hope to use during the actual Census exercise.
