The Government of Uganda has officially launched the construction of a new Statistics House in Entebbe, marking a major milestone in strengthening the country’s capacity to produce quality official statistics for national development. The groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, and attended by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) Board Chairperson Dr. Albert Byamugisha, UBOS Executive Director Dr. Chris N. Mukiza, government officials, development partners and other invited guests.
The new Statistics House is expected to become a modern centre for data production, processing, innovation and dissemination. Once completed, it will provide UBOS with a permanent home for its Entebbe operations and improve the Bureau’s ability to deliver timely, reliable and relevant statistics that guide national planning and decision-making.
Speaking during the ceremony, Hon. Henry Musasizi praised the UBOS Board, management and staff for reaching this important milestone, describing it as the result of years of dedication and strong leadership. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting UBOS, saying reliable statistics remain the foundation for evidence-based planning, sound policymaking and sustainable national development.
“We committed to give UBOS the necessary support so that it can continue providing evidence for decision-making,” the minister said. He added that the construction project is fully funded by the Government of Uganda and expressed confidence that Roko Construction Ltd will deliver quality work within the expected standards.
Hon. Musasizi also noted that investing in modern office infrastructure creates a better working environment for staff, improves institutional performance and enables government agencies to serve the public more effectively. He further pledged Government’s support for Uganda’s bid to host the East African Statistics Bureau, a move expected to increase regional cooperation, create employment opportunities and strengthen Uganda’s position as a leader in official statistics.
The new Statistics House will feature a modern data processing centre that will serve as a permanent facility for handling national censuses and other large-scale surveys. This will reduce the Bureau’s reliance on hiring temporary operational space whenever major statistical exercises are conducted.
In addition, the facility will house a Data Science and Innovation Hub where emerging technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence will be applied to improve the collection, analysis and dissemination of official statistics. The innovation hub is expected to help UBOS respond more quickly to Uganda’s changing development needs while embracing modern approaches to statistics.
The building will also include statistical training facilities, a state-of-the-art conference centre and modern office spaces designed to strengthen statistical capacity across Uganda’s National Statistical System. These facilities will support research, knowledge sharing and continuous professional development for statisticians and other data experts.
UBOS Board Chairman Dr. Albert Byamugisha described the groundbreaking as a significant achievement in the Bureau’s journey towards building a stronger and more sustainable national statistical system. He said the investment demonstrates the confidence Government and development partners have placed in UBOS and reflects the growing importance of quality statistics in shaping Uganda’s development agenda.
UBOS Executive Director Dr. Chris N. Mukiza said the new Statistics House represents more than just a building. According to him, it is an investment in Uganda’s future that will strengthen the country’s statistical ecosystem through innovation, technology and improved infrastructure. He noted that the facility will enable UBOS to expand its capacity in data production, processing, innovation and dissemination while continuing to provide high-quality official statistics.
Dr. Mukiza explained that as Uganda embraces digital transformation, the Bureau is positioning itself to take advantage of new technologies, including artificial intelligence and big data, to produce faster, more responsive and more accurate statistics. He added that the modern facility will help Uganda build a future-ready statistical system capable of supporting the country’s growing development needs.
The construction of Statistics House also reflects a shared commitment between Government, development partners and the entire UBOS community to build an institution that will serve generations to come. Once completed, the facility is expected to improve coordination of statistical operations, strengthen innovation and support evidence-based planning across all sectors of the economy.
The groundbreaking ceremony marked the official beginning of construction works and signaled a new chapter for Uganda’s official statistics sector. As the country continues to invest in modern infrastructure and advanced technologies, the new Statistics House is expected to play a central role in supporting national transformation through accurate, timely and reliable data.
