Mubende Census Struggles with Faulty Tablets and Lack of Data

Mubende's digital census exercise, a modern approach to data collection, almost went off the rails yesterday due to a combination of technical glitches and logistical shortcomings.

The initial optimism was dampened when government-issued tablets, supposed to be the backbone of the digital census, malfunctioned. Joseph Kiwanuka, the assistant census officer, pinpointed the problem as a discrepancy in operating modes. The tablets, configured in a training mode, were incompatible with the actual census mode deployed. This rendered them unusable by enumerators, causing a frustrating delay. Thankfully, technical teams were able to rectify the issue by mid-morning, allowing the enumerators to deploy to their designated areas by 11 am.

However, even with the technical hurdle overcome, discontent simmered among the enumerators. Nile Post, a Ugandan news outlet, conducted an undercover investigation that unearthed enumerator grievances. The biggest concern seemed to be the lack of data provided to activate the tablets. Nile Post's secret recordings captured enumerator frustrations, with some complaining that the lack of data rendered the tablets useless. One enumerator remarked, "These people are not serious... what are we going to use?" Adding to the frustration, enumerators had not yet received their training fees, leaving them questioning their compensation for the critical task at hand.

Further complicating the picture, Nile Post's investigation suggested that the census might not be as comprehensive as envisioned. Their inquiries in Mubende Municipality revealed that residents there had not been approached by census officials. Julius Musisi, a resident, recounted waiting in vain for the census team, following instructions from local leaders to stay home. His experience, along with the potential for similar gaps in coverage, raises concerns about the accuracy of the census data.

The initial hiccups in Mubende's digital census serve as a cautionary tale. While the technical problems were eventually addressed, the lack of data, delayed payments, and potential gaps in coverage raised doubts about the effectiveness of the digital approach. A smooth and comprehensive census is crucial for accurate data collection, and Ugandan authorities must address these shortcomings to ensure the success of this crucial initiative.