Head counts on course in Kagera region

AS the 2022 National Population and Housing Census (PHC)  entered its  third day on Thursday,  Kagera residents have responded  positively  to the  exercise  by  providing  information asked  by the census clerks.

A random survey conducted by ‘Daily News’ in various areas showed that  despite being worried whether  all the households will be reached, those who had already been counted  participated fully  in the exercise by giving the required information.

The 2022 PHC Commissioner, Ms Anne Makinda , a former Speaker of the National Assembly made it clear that every citizen will be counted, calling upon the public to be patient and calm as the exercise continues.

“This exercise will continue for seven days, there is no need to panic if you are not visited today (yesterday)…all Tanzanians will be counted within this time frame,” Ms Makinda assured.

Jacob Bi’Omugabi (46) a resident of Muleba District’s  Kamishango Village  said that he was  counted  on Wednesday  after waiting for the census clerk  on the opening day (Tuesday)without success.

“I waited at home for the census clerk the whole day on Tuesday, but nobody appeared until Wednesday when I was counted at around 4pm… the exercise went smoothly because I was well prepared to respond to the questions asked,” he said.

Mariam Kukoteisa (29) resident of Rwamishenye Ward, in Bukoba Municipal Council, on the other hand, said that some of the questions were somehow not easy to respond. “I rent a single   room at Rwamishenye Ward while the land lord lives in another area. The census clerk asked me when the house was constructed and what materials were used. I   failed to answer such question,” she said.

The residents highlighted some challenges associated with the exercise as slow pace in reaching the households and unpreparedness by some citizens which has caused the census clerks to spend more time in a single household.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan was counted at the Dodoma State House on Tuesday morning while urging all Tanzanians to participate fully in the exercise.

“All questions are simple and answerable, you should have all relevant documents and details at your fingertips to make the counting exercise smooth,” she said.

The 2022 Population and Housing Census will be the sixth in the series. Other censuses with population in brackets took place in 1967 (population 12,313,469), 1978 (17,512,610), 1988 (23,095,878), 2002 (34,569,232)   and 2012 (44,928,923).