Nothing captures it more than the phrase that goes; ‘if you don’t count you don’t count’. This is the very reason why every 10 years, the government, through the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) conducts a population census to get real data on the state of the population which then informs planning.

The latest round of population census is set to begin on Tuesday, August 16 and conclude on 30th, where enumerators will move house to house, where they will be asking a number of pre-set questions that will help them come up with the clear picture of the households and subsequently the whole country.

The questions will range from the family welfare, health, civil status among others, and we are all called to be as accurate as possible while answering this.

To ease this for Rwandans, the NISR chose the night of August 15, which also happens to be a public holiday on which we celebrate Assumption Day, as the ‘Night of Census’ meaning that all the information sought will be from this night. It will be much easier for people to remember what transpired than picking a random date.

As Rwandans, we only have one job; to answer with honesty all the questions that will be put to us, because only honesty will ensure the government has accurate information on the population and which will inform national planning for the country to continue on the trajectory it has been on for the past couple of decades.

For some amongst us who live in urban areas, especially in gated homes, it is important that we make appropriate measures to ensure enumerators are facilitated and not locked out, to make their work easier and make sure they complete the exercise within the stipulated time.