The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UNICEF to kick-start Uganda’s first-ever Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2026/27, marking a major step toward strengthening the country’s national statistical system and ensuring that every child is counted and included in the development agenda.
The partnership, formalized on Monday, will generate high-quality, inclusive data crucial for monitoring NDP IV, tracking Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and assessing progress on child rights across the country. Officials noted that better data will enable better planning—and ultimately better outcomes—for children and families.
Dr. Chris N. Mukiza, the UBOS Executive Director, highlighted the significance of the upcoming survey, noting that child poverty in Uganda remains persistent based on findings from a similar assessment conducted six years ago. “The MICS 2026/27 will play a critical role in updating this evidence to guide national planning,” he said.
Dr. Mukiza outlined the roadmap ahead, noting that 2026 will focus on preparatory activities, including the formation of technical teams, training, and fieldwork, leading to the completion and dissemination of the final MICS report in 2027.
He also reaffirmed UBOS’s commitment to transparency and accountability throughout the process, citing the institution’s clean track record. “No coin will be lost during this survey. During the Census, there was no case of misuse of resources,” Dr. Mukiza emphasized.
UNICEF’s Representative to Uganda, Dr. Robin Nandy, applauded the launch, describing the survey as a milestone that places children at the center of national development priorities. “The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2026/27 is designed to ensure every child is counted and no one is left behind,” he said.
Dr. Nandy noted that the data collected will guide national strategies, empower communities, and enable development partners and donors to channel support where it is needed most for children and families across Uganda. He emphasized the human story behind the statistics: “Behind each statistic is a human—a child who deserves to grow up healthy and educated, a mother seeking safe water and nutrition, and a community striving for a brighter future.”
Assuring full UNICEF support, Dr. Nandy reaffirmed commitment to the highest standards of data quality and integrity throughout the process. MICS has been conducted in more than 120 countries, with over 400 surveys completed globally since the 1990s, making it one of the world’s most authoritative sources of household-based data on women and children.
The successful launch of MICS 2026/27 sets the stage for a stronger, more inclusive future—one where data drives action to improve the lives of children and families across Uganda.
