In Summary: The week-long programme will also feature the launch of UBOS’s Fourth Plan for National Statistical Development, its fourth strategic plan and new service delivery standards.
Kampala, Uganda — The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) will join other African countries in commemorating Africa Statistics Day on November 18, with a focus on the role of reliable data in improving water and sanitation services and preparing communities for climate-related risks.
The commemoration will be held under the theme, “Institutionalizing Water and Sanitation Statistics for Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Development in Africa,” with a high-level dialogue bringing together stakeholders to examine how statistics can support planning, investment and service delivery.
While addressing journalists on Thursday at Statistic House in Kampala, UBOS Executive Director and Chief Statistician Chris N. Mukiza said reliable information on communities without access to safe water and adequate sanitation is essential for effective public planning.
Knowing which communities lack dependable water and sanitation services enables government authorities to identify priority areas for investment and monitor whether resources are reaching the people who need them.
The bureau said the dialogue would form the centrepiece of activities running from November 12 to 19, 2026, aimed at highlighting the importance of statistics in sustainable development.
As part of the activities, UBOS will on Friday, November 13, launch the Fourth Plan for National Statistical Development, its Fourth Strategic Plan and the UBOS Service Delivery Standards covering the 2025/26–2029/30 period.
The programme will continue on November 16 with a seminar for statistics professionals, followed by a students’ symposium and sports gala on November 17.
The main Africa Statistics Day commemoration and high-level dialogue on water and sanitation statistics will take place on November 18. Activities will conclude on November 19 with a blood donation exercise and tree planting.
Mukiza said participation in the activities would be by invitation only.
Why water and sanitation statistics matter
Access to reliable water and sanitation services remains an important development priority, particularly as communities face growing pressure from climate variability, population growth and competing demands on natural resources.
Accurate statistics help policymakers identify underserved communities, assess gaps in infrastructure and direct investments towards areas with the greatest needs.
The focus on climate resilience also highlights the importance of reliable data in planning water systems that can withstand changing weather patterns, prolonged dry spells and other environmental pressures.
Through the annual commemoration, UBOS seeks to strengthen appreciation of statistics as a tool for evidence-based decision-making and sustainable development across Uganda and the wider African continent.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
