The National Population and Housing Census exercise has today Monday, 13th May, 2024 been suspended in three villages in the Northern district of Obongi.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics announced the suspension during a meeting attended by leaders and residents of Yumbe and Obongi held at the district head office.
The meeting, chaired by RDC Obongi, Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka and DISO Yumbe, addressed concerns over a border dispute between the two districts.
The Defence State Minister, Hon Huda Oleru, ordered for an investigation into the source of conflicting maps causing confusion over the Obongi/Yumbe border.
According to Mpimbasa, the three affected villages are Alua, Mureria, and Kochi Boma in Kali and Morobi parishes, Itula sub-county, Obongi District.
The decision to suspend the census was prompted by the kidnapping of an enumeration officer and the chairman of Koch Boma village, Waka parish, Itula sub-county, Obongi District, as well as clashes between leaders and residents of Yumbe and Obongi.
The directive to halt the census was communicated by Mr. Stephen Baryahira, head of field operations at UBOS.
The census will remain suspended until the central government addresses the border issue urgently.
Credit: East News