Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has developed a Mobile Vital Record System (Mobile VRS) that uses both online and offline technologies to record births and deaths in the country.

The pilot study that started in 2010 and currently in 135 government hospitals, helps birth attendants register births by dialling *162# on UTL and *153*162# on MTN free of charge under the supervision of medical head or parish chief for births outside hospital. At least 57% of births are carried out in a hospital.

URSB is mandated to register businesses, civil registrations and collection of non-tax revenue and oversee delivery of birth and death registration services in Uganda.

Bemanya Twebaze, the registrar general URSB, said,“We want a system where census is done every day. Why do we need a periodical census? This programme will help the government to plan for education, health and other needs of the public.”

NMG