The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has dismissed as false reports suggesting that the government plans to remove Buganda from Uganda’s map.
“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, the acting deputy UBOS Executive Director. He made these remarks on Friday during a courtesy visit by UBOS officials to Buganda Kingdom’s headquarters in Mengo.
The visit came in response to widespread concerns following the circulation of a map on social media suggesting that Buganda had been renamed “Central North” and “Central South.” The map sparked outrage and anxiety among many Baganda, who perceived the move as an attempt to erase the kingdom’s historical and cultural identity.
However, UBOS officials firmly denied these claims, labeling the circulating map as false and unauthentic. Dr. Ssenono reiterated that any changes to Uganda’s regional boundaries could only be effected through constitutional means, not by UBOS.
Didacus Okoth, the Senior Public Relations Officer for UBOS, emphasized that their current focus is on gathering data to inform national planning and not altering the country’s administrative map. “We are currently conducting the Labour Market Indicator Survey and preparing for the education and aquaculture censuses. These surveys are essential for the development of the country,” Okoth stated.
The statistics body further clarified that the map circulating on social media is not an official UBOS product and should be disregarded.
Responding to the clarification, Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, Buganda Kingdom’s Minister for Information and Mobilization, expressed appreciation for UBOS’s efforts to address the concerns. “We thank you for this gesture of coming to elaborate on such matters. It is good to note that you have assured us no one can remove Buganda from the Ugandan map,” Kazibwe remarked.
UBOS urged the public to verify information from official sources to avoid spreading misinformation. Meanwhile, Buganda Kingdom remains firm in asserting its historical and constitutional position within Uganda.
