These tablets won't just be collecting data for a few days; they're slated to be redeployed for other large-scale registration exercises in the coming years.
The Ugandan government is planning to get maximum use out of the tablet computers procured for the upcoming national census in May.
Uganda will have its first digital census in May this year
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After the census, which runs from May 10th to 19th, 2024, the tablets will be put to work for voter registration leading up to the 2026 general election.
This will be a crucial step for the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure an accurate and up-to-date voter registry.
Another important application for the tablets will be the national ID registration exercise overseen by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
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NIRA will leverage the tablets at parish levels across the country to efficiently register citizens for their national IDs.
According to media reports, the government, particularly IT-related ministries, departments and agencies had discussed this multi-purpose approach extensively during the budgeting process for the census.
While UBOS Chief Executive Dr. Chris Mukiza remained tight-lipped on confirming the details reported by the media, he did acknowledge during a meeting with parliamentary committees that some tablets would be left behind at the parish level after the census is complete.
"Each parish is to retain two tablets after the census," Dr. Mukiza revealed during the meeting held at the Kampala Serena Hotel. This suggests a long-term plan for the tablets to be used beyond the initial data collection phase of the census.
