Uganda is gearing up for its sixth national population and housing census, scheduled to take place from May 10 to May 20. In response to this significant event, Makerere University has made adjustments to its academic calendar, pushing back the start of its second semester.
In a circular dated April 4, Academic Registrar Buyinza Mukadasi announced that the University Senate had approved the decision to reschedule the semester and examination dates. Accordingly, Semester II examinations will commence on May 21 and conclude on June 11, 2024.
To accommodate these changes, all academic units at Makerere have been instructed to revise their teaching and examination schedules accordingly. While this adjustment affects institutions operating on a semester system, those on term-based schedules, such as primary and secondary schools, will not be impacted as the census coincides with their first term holiday.
Last November, the Ministry of Education and Sports issued a directive urging all educational institutions to release students for participation in the census. According to the directive, learners of all levels are expected to be at home during the census night (May 9 to 10) and the enumeration period (May 10 to 20).
Conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) every ten years, the national census aims to provide accurate demographic data crucial for the country’s development initiatives. With the last census held in 2014, Uganda’s population has seen significant growth, estimated to be approximately 48.9 million.
President Yoweri Museveni emphasized the importance of the census in informing the nation’s development trajectory, stating that precise data is essential for achieving Uganda’s Vision 2040 goals. As preparations for the census intensify, Uganda looks forward to gathering vital information to guide its future endeavors.
