Improving Agricultural Statistics in the COMCEC Region

statistical unit at the Ministry headquarters. Now, the Ministry works in collaboration with its

autonomous bodies to generate data.

These include the following:



National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO);



Cotton Development Organization (CDO);



Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA);



Dairy Development Authority (DDA);



National Animal Genetic Resource Centre and Data Bank (NAGRIC & DB);



National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS); and



Uganda Trypanosomiasis Control Council (UTCC).

The Statistics Unit of the Agricultural Planning Department works very closely with the Early

Warning and Food Security Unit in the same department and the new Agricultural and

Environmental Statistics Directorate of UBOS. Together these units work with the local

governments to conduct small surveys and assessments to generate data. Amongst others,

there are also semi-autonomous bodies like the Uganda Tea Growers Association, Uganda

Tobacco Association, the Uganda Flowers Exporters Association; and the Uganda Vanilla

Association that generate agricultural statistics.

In the livestock sector, data is maintained on livestock populations and their distribution. The

last comprehensive data was collected during the National Livestock Census in 2008. Data was

also collected on livestock and poultry statistics during the Uganda Census of Agriculture

2008/2009 and during the Uganda National Panel Survey of 2009/2010.

Data collection in fisheries dates back to 1927-1933, in the Graham survey of Lake Victoria. A

recommendation to start a data collection system for the Uganda lakes was endorsed in 1933.

A number of institutions including the East Africa Fisheries Organization (EAFRO) (now the

Uganda Fresh Fisheries Research Organization (UFFRO)) continued at various stages to collect

data to manage lakes using local fish inspectors (commonly termed as fish guards). Fisheries

assistants were later trained to improve this service. Data collected was submitted by districts

and analysed at the Fisheries Headquarters in Entebbe. In 1990, frame surveys were carried

out on Lakes Victoria, Edward, George/Kazinga Channel and Albert, capturing information on

fish landings, active fishing canoes, powered canoes, and so on. These led to the design of a

permanent Fish Catch Monitoring System for Uganda. Apart from the routine monitoring,

control and surveillance data and the Frame Survey data, information on fish catch

assessment, industrial processing, and fish exports are also maintained.

Integration and Coordination of Agricultural Statistics:

Several individuals and agencies

carry out agricultural statistics-related surveys and studies often without UBOS’s knowledge,

let alone sanctioning. Although most of them cover specific subjects or areas, a number of them

provide useful data and information especially if they had been properly coordinated.

While UBOS is the coordinating agency for statistical activities in Uganda, MAAIF is also an

important stakeholder in all agricultural statistics activities. The main source of agricultural

statistics in MAAIF is the Statistics Division within the Department of Agricultural Planning.

MAAIF, 2014.

UBOS, 2014c.