On Wednesday, 17th May 2023, the Uganda Statistical Society (USS) held an insightful seminar at Kyambogo University, under the theme:
“How to Harness Statistics Production from Big Data into Reporting for National, Regional, and International Frameworks.”
This seminar brought together students, professionals, and representatives from USS, Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Absa Bank, and Tree Escape to discuss the evolving role of statistics and data science in policy-making and development.
USS Team Presentation: The Role of USS in Promoting Statistics
The USS Coordinator, Ayeera Sylvia, led an engaging discussion on the background and objectives of USS. She emphasized USS’s role in:
✔️ Promoting standards in the statistics profession
✔️ Encouraging research and collaboration
✔️ Enhancing statistical education and awareness
The student representative, Tusingwire Balaam, provided a brief history of USS and how statistical societies have evolved across Africa since the 1960s. Ahimbisa Praise, another USS representative, shared insights on USS’s vision, mission, and membership benefits, including the annual subscription plan for students and professionals.
Expert Presentation by UBOS: The Power of Big Data
The keynote presentation was delivered by Duncan Ssematimba, Principal Officer, Database Management at UBOS. He explained:
The importance of Big Data in global and national development frameworks such as Uganda’s National Development Plan III (NDP III), EAC Vision 2050, and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The different types of Big Data – structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data – and how they influence decision-making.
💡 Key applications of Big Data in Uganda, including:
- GIS Data Analytics (Uganda Bureau of Statistics)
- Machine Learning for Poverty Monitoring (UN Pulse Lab)
- Deforestation Prediction (Makerere AI Lab)
- Real Estate Indexing & Electronic Transactions Analysis
Duncan emphasized the “5 Vs of Big Data” – Volume, Variety, Velocity, Veracity, and Value – and how data science plays a role in healthcare, business, agriculture, and transportation.
Interactive Q&A Session: Engaging Future Statisticians
Students were actively engaged, asking insightful questions such as:
❓ What does “veracity” mean in Big Data? (Answer: The accuracy and reliability of data.)
❓ How is USS different from UBOS? (Answer: USS is a professional society for statisticians, while UBOS is Uganda’s official data-collecting agency.)
❓ Does UBOS offer graduate internships? (Answer: Yes, especially for students who have previously interned with UBOS.)
4️⃣ Corporate Engagement: Absa Bank & Tree Escape
- Absa Bank encouraged students to develop a saving culture and introduced their mobile banking solutions for tuition payments.
- Tree Escape emphasized the importance of environmental conservation and donated trees, which were later planted by students as a symbol of sustainability.
The seminar ended with a closing prayer by SAKU Deputy Speaker Phillip, followed by:
📸 Group Photos to capture the memorable moments.
🌱 Tree Planting Activity to promote environmental awareness.
USS extends its gratitude to Kyambogo University, UBOS, Absa Bank, and Tree Escape for making this seminar a success!