KAMPALA, October 21, 2026 — A bitter dispute has erupted between the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) and the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance over the government’s National Data Strategy, with the statistics agency declaring the initiative illegal and urging the public to treat it with “the utmost contempt.”
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, UBOS said it had learnt “with great concern” of the strategy’s launch, arguing that it violates the Uganda Bureau of Statistics Act, 1998, and encroaches on the Bureau’s statutory mandate.
The agency described the strategy as “illegal, irregular, redundant” and an “existential threat” to the law governing its operations, insisting that the initiative adds no value to Uganda’s National Statistical System.
The unusually sharp rebuke exposes a public disagreement between two government institutions over who has the legal authority to coordinate and oversee the country’s data and statistics agenda.
UBOS asserts statutory authority
At the centre of the dispute is the interpretation of the UBOS Act, which the Bureau says designates it as the principal agency responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating official statistics, as well as coordinating, monitoring and supervising the National Statistical System.
According to UBOS, its statutory responsibilities include providing high-quality central statistical information services and promoting standardised methods for collecting, analysing and publishing statistics to ensure consistency, reliability and adequate coverage.
The Bureau also says it is mandated to review data collection initiatives undertaken by national and local government institutions and approve statistical instruments, including census frames, registers, sample designs and questionnaires.
Additionally, UBOS is responsible for maintaining a central repository of statistical reports, publications, documents and data from within and outside Uganda.
On that basis, the Bureau argues that the ICT ministry has no legal mandate to spearhead matters relating to official statistics that fall within its jurisdiction.
Bureau questions need for new strategy
UBOS further challenged the rationale behind the National Data Strategy, arguing that the issues it seeks to address are already covered by existing legal and policy frameworks.
These include the UBOS Act, the Plan for National Statistics Development, the Bureau’s Strategic Plan and the Data Quality Assessment Framework.
The agency maintains that these instruments already provide for the coordination, standardisation and quality assurance of statistical activities across the country, raising questions about the need for a separate strategy.
However, the statement did not detail the specific provisions of the National Data Strategy that allegedly violate the law.
Public urged to reject strategy
In one of the strongest expressions of institutional opposition, UBOS urged the public to treat the contested strategy “with the utmost contempt it deserves.”
The statement was signed by UBOS Executive Director and Chief Statistician, Dr Chris N. Mukiza, who reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to providing reliable statistical information to support evidence-based planning, policy formulation and decision-making.
The language used by the statistics agency underscores the seriousness of the disagreement, which now places the spotlight on coordination between government institutions responsible for data management and digital governance.
Ministry’s response awaited
The Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance had not publicly responded to the allegations by the time of publication.
The dispute raises questions about the respective roles of the two institutions in developing and implementing national data policies, as well as the legal and administrative processes through which overlapping government mandates should be resolved.
A response from the ministry would be important in clarifying the objectives of the National Data Strategy, the legal basis for its development and how it is intended to relate to existing statistical frameworks.
For now, the public disagreement leaves the future of the strategy uncertain as attention turns to whether the two institutions can resolve their differences through consultation or whether the matter will require further legal and administrative clarification.
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