The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has refuted as false reports circulating that they plan to remove Buganda from the map of Uganda.
“The Bureau has no mandate or intention to remove Buganda Kingdom from the map of Uganda. This is an established region as per the Constitution of Uganda,” said Dr. Fred Ssenono, Acting Deputy Executive Director of UBOS.
The clarification was made during a courtesy visit by UBOS officials to the Buganda Kingdom headquarters in Mengo on Friday.
The visit came in response to social media reports showing a map of Uganda where Buganda had been replaced by labels such as “Central North” and “Central South.” These images sparked significant concern and animosity, particularly among the Baganda community.
UBOS officials emphasized that there is no plan to alter Buganda’s status or remove it from the national map. They reiterated that Buganda is a constitutionally established region, and any changes would require constitutional amendments.
Didacus Okoth, Senior Public Relations Officer for UBOS, explained that the map circulating on social media was not official. “This map is a creation of social media and does not represent any official stance,” Okoth stated.
He also updated attendees on ongoing UBOS projects, including the education and aquaculture censuses, as well as the Labor Market Indicator Survey, all of which are crucial for national planning.
“We are currently conducting the Labour Market Indicator Survey. These initiatives have a significant impact on the country’s planning and development,” Okoth added.
In response, Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, the Kingdom’s Minister for Information and Mobilization, expressed gratitude to UBOS for clarifying the issue.
“We thank you for taking the time to address this matter. It is reassuring to know that no one can remove Buganda from the Ugandan map,” Kazibwe remarked. “Many youths, both in Uganda and in the diaspora, are active on social media, and we want to assure them that Buganda remains firmly part of Uganda.”
Kazibwe also commended UBOS for conducting the various censuses, noting that the data would assist the government in better planning for the needs of its citizens.
