Religious leaders view refusal to be enumerated as betrayal
While being enumerated in his residence at Muyenga, Waiswa remarked that it will be betraying one’s country for those who refuse being enumerated, especially in an exercise like this that plans for the country.
The Deputy Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Ali Wiaswa has called on believers from different religions across Uganda, to be voluntarily participate in the census exercise through providing necessary information needed by the enumerators.
While being enumerated in his residence at Muyenga, Waiswa remarked that it will be betraying one’s country for those who refuse being enumerated, especially in an exercise like this that plans for the country.
As per the deputy Mufti, they were happy as religious leaders after being informed that enumerators would visit their homes to gather information about their life styles.
Waiswa said, “Collectively the country was expecting this exercise and as religious leaders they have always been reminding their followers to participate in this good exercise, because it’s the foundation for growth and development of a nation,”
He highlighted that once government knows who we are and how many we are, it’s easier for them to know what services are needed in different parts of the country.
The deputy Mufti believes that by the end of this exercise the government will have got the right picture of how to plan for Ugandans and all other people that leave within the borders of the country.
“Whoever doesn’t accept to be counted will have betrayed his country and will have betrayed themselves too. We should collectively participate in this exercise and I pray that those doing this job are not interrupted by the weather conditions.” He added.
When asked about the smoothness of the exercise and whether some questions indeed were necessary, Waiswa responded that what matters most is knowing how many Ugandans are in this country and what services they need.
He explained that political issues may arise later but importantly its crucial to know what people are in Uganda and how government will plan for them in the next 10 years.
Yesterday, the Government designated the first day of the census a national holiday to enable the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), to reach as many people in their homes.
Uganda Bureau of Statistics UBOS assured Ugandans all their data will be confidential and no information collected will be aggregated.
