The National Population and Housing Census exercise scheduled for Monday, May 13, 2024, hit a roadblock as it was suspended in three villages situated within the Northern district of Obongi.
This unexpected turn was announced by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics during a convened meeting attended by prominent leaders and residents from both Yumbe and Obongi districts, held at the district head office.
Presiding over the meeting was RDC Obongi, Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, alongside DISO Yumbe. The primary agenda was to tackle the escalating border dispute between the two neighboring districts.
Responding to the urgency of the situation, the Defence State Minister, Hon Huda Oleru, swiftly ordered an investigation into the conflicting maps contributing to the confusion surrounding the Obongi/Yumbe border.
As disclosed by Mpimbasa, the villages affected by the suspension are Alua, Mureria, and Kochi Boma, nestled within Kali and Morobi parishes, under the jurisdiction of Itula sub-county, Obongi District.
The decision to suspend the census was catalyzed by the distressing incident of an enumeration officer and the chairman of Koch Boma village, Waka parish, Itula sub-county, Obongi District being kidnapped. Additionally, clashes between leaders and residents of Yumbe and Obongi exacerbated the tense situation.
The directive to halt the census was relayed by Mr. Stephen Baryahira, the head of field operations at UBOS.
The fate of the census hangs in limbo, awaiting resolution of the border issue by the central government before it can resume its course.
