The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has announced plans to start a new monthly survey to track employment trends across the country. The High Frequency Labour and Employment Indicator Survey (HFLIS) is set to begin in the 2024/25 financial year. The goal is to provide up-to-date information that will help the government make better decisions on job creation, skills development, and reducing unemployment.

Unemployment and underemployment remain major challenges in Uganda, with many people struggling to find work or stuck in jobs that do not pay enough. Without accurate and timely data, it is difficult for policymakers to design effective solutions. The new survey aims to fix this by giving the government real-time insights into the labour market.

The survey will be conducted every month, starting in the third week and running for up to 25 days. It will collect information about people’s work activities from the previous week, known as the “reference week.” This approach ensures that the data is recent and reflects current employment conditions.

To make the process faster and more accurate, UBOS will use digital tools. Field supervisors will be given tablets with internet access to conduct interviews using a method called Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI). This system allows for instant data checks, reducing errors and ensuring consistency. The information collected will be sent daily to UBOS headquarters for analysis.

UBOS has already tested this digital approach in other surveys and found it to be cost-effective. It cuts down on printing and manual data entry while improving the speed and quality of results. Once the data is submitted, it will be processed using specialized software to generate reports and statistics.

The survey is expected to produce several key outputs, including a detailed plan explaining how it will work, four quarterly reports, and one annual report. It will also provide datasets that researchers and policymakers can use for further analysis. Additionally, UBOS plans to create policy briefs and research papers with the help of partners to highlight important findings.

While some of these outputs will require extra funding, UBOS is calling on development partners to support the initiative. The bureau believes that investing in better data will lead to better policies, helping Uganda address unemployment and underemployment more effectively.

Labour market data is crucial for economic planning, but in many African countries, including Uganda, such information is often outdated or incomplete. Without regular updates, policymakers may not notice emerging trends, such as rising unemployment in certain sectors or skills shortages that need urgent attention.

The HFLIS is designed to fill this gap by providing monthly updates on employment trends. This will allow the government to monitor the impact of its policies and adjust them as needed. For example, if the survey shows a sudden drop in jobs in a particular industry, the government can quickly intervene with training programs or financial support.

The survey will also help track progress toward national development goals. Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan III aim to create more jobs and reduce poverty. However, without reliable data, it is hard to measure whether these plans are working. The HFLIS will provide the evidence needed to guide these efforts.

While the survey has great potential, there are challenges to consider. Conducting a monthly survey requires significant resources, including trained staff, technology, and funding. UBOS will need to ensure that field teams are well-equipped and that data quality is maintained.

Another challenge is public participation. For the survey to be successful, Ugandans must be willing to share accurate information about their employment status. UBOS may need to run awareness campaigns to explain the importance of the survey and encourage cooperation.

If all goes as planned, the HFLIS could become a model for other African countries facing similar labour market challenges. Regular, high-quality data can transform how governments respond to unemployment, helping them create policies that actually work.

Uganda’s proposed monthly labour survey is a big step toward solving the country’s employment problems. By providing timely and accurate data, the HFLIS will help policymakers design better programs, monitor their impact, and make adjustments when necessary. This could lead to more jobs, better skills training, and stronger economic growth.

For ordinary Ugandans, the survey could mean better opportunities and a brighter future. If the government can use this data effectively, it could reduce unemployment, close skills gaps, and ensure that more people have stable, well-paying jobs. The success of the HFLIS will depend on strong implementation, but the potential benefits make it a project worth supporting.

As Uganda moves forward with this initiative, the hope is that better data will lead to better decisions—and, ultimately, a better life for millions of workers across the country.