The national housing and population census that will cost sh190b, up from sh186b budgeted for in 2012 counting has started today countrywide.

According to the Uganda Population and Housing Census, the elderly (60+) make up about 6.5% of the population. PHOTO/echwaluphotography

The 2014 Census will be conducted for 10 days from August 28 to September 6. It is the 10th Census to be conducted in Uganda in 102 years.

Uganda Bureau of Statistics communications manager Godfrey Nabongo said the census would be done during the day unlike the previous enumerations because of security reasons.

It will involve door to door Interviews with household heads during the day time only.

According to the lands and Housing Minister, Mr Daudi Migereko, the result of the exercise will allow his ministry to properly plan for the housing needs of the country which is in deficit of more than 1.6million.

The Minister of State for Finance in-charge of Planning, Mr Matia Kasaija, said special teams would also enumerate distinctive groups such as diplomatic agents, the army and police.

After enumeration is completed, provisional results from the census will be released in October. A post-census survey to verify results will subsequently be conducted in October.

Data processing will take a year (September to December 2015). The 2014 census is the 5th post-independence survey and the 2nd to be conducted by UBOS. It was meant to be held in 2012 but was been postponed for two years.

A Census is conducted every 10 years to provide an accurate account of people, where they are and what their needs are.