Musasizi made this statement during the start of construction of the new office complex «Statistics House» in Entebbe, which will be used by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). This event was an important institutional step aimed at positioning Uganda as a centre for regional data management and policy coordination.
It is expected that, once established, the East African Statistical Bureau will work to harmonize statistical methodologies across member countries, facilitate cross‑border data exchange, and provide technical support to national statistical agencies throughout the East African Community (EAC).
Therefore, locating the bureau’s headquarters in Uganda will not only strengthen its international prestige but will also attract regional specialists, training programs, and partnerships focused on data‑driven development..
High‑ranking government officials, UBOS management, and representatives of the construction industry attended the ceremony. The new facility will be equipped with modern classrooms, conference rooms capable of hosting regional summits, as well as highly secure data storage facilities to protect confidential national and regional information.
The project aligns with Uganda’s broader goals within the framework of the National Development Plan, where data is viewed as a tool for industrialization and social transformation.
The government will begin negotiations with the partner states of the EAS to reach a consensus. At the same time, Musasizi called on the contractor, Roko Construction Company Ltd, to strictly fulfill its contractual obligations.
The head of the ROKO project, who was present at the ceremony, assured the minister that the company had mobilized equipment and qualified specialists and expected to complete the project within the agreed three‑year period. Until 2006, UBOS was located in premises in Entebbe, after which it moved its headquarters to «Statistics House» in Kampala.
Uganda is preparing to conduct a nationwide survey of buildings to determine the condition of the country’s housing stock and assess its compliance with safety requirements and building codes. It is expected that the study, which UBOS is conducting jointly with the National Building Control Board (NBRB), will for the first time create a comprehensive database on the number, types, and condition of buildings across the country. This is happening against the backdrop of ongoing concerns about the reliability and safety of structures in Uganda, given that building collapses and floods during the rainy season continue to raise serious worries about the integrity of buildings in the country.
Furthermore, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recently warned about the country’s high seismic vulnerability, stating that government agencies are not actively implementing measures that could save thousands of lives in the event of a major earthquake.
Morris Olengha, head of the research department at NBRB, noted that the survey will help the authorities assess how susceptible buildings are to the risks of earthquakes, floods, and fires, as well as verify whether developers are complying with the current building codes.
The survey is being conducted following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between UBOS and NBRB, which took place last week at «Statistics House». At the same time, UBOS is responsible for the methodological and selective technical support for this event.
As part of the survey, buildings made of reinforced concrete, unreinforced masonry, reinforced masonry, wood, and structural steel will be identified. In addition, the proportion of buildings by number of floors — from single‑story to multi‑story — will be determined, as well as their status: whether they are completed, under construction, or already inhabited. The authorities will also check whether the buildings comply with state requirements, including the presence of necessary permits and the creation of conditions for people with disabilities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, UBOS Executive Director Dr. Chris Mukiza stated that this partnership demonstrates the importance of cooperation within Uganda’s National Statistical System and will help ensure that decisions related to the construction sector are made based on reliable and verified data.
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