Uganda, May 10 -- The government has reversed its position regarding the closure of universities nationwide to allow for the National Population and Housing Census that starts today.

Initially, the Ministry of Education and Sports had requested universities to close on May 9, to allow their students to participate in the national population and housing census.

However, several universities, both public and private, expressed alarm at the call, with many arguing that it would disorganise the academic calendars.

And now, the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Ms Ketty Lamaro, said after consultations with the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos), it was concluded that institutions can remain operational during the census exercise.

"After con...