1. Capacity Building for Statistics: Challenges and Opportunities in the Data Revolution Age
Winifred Mulindwa
Director, District Statistics & Capacity Development
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

2. High level National Data Forum
Outline
Introduction
Capacity Building for Statistics
UBOS Capacity Building Initiatives
Challenges
Opportunities
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

3. High level National Data Forum
Introduction
Strengthening the capacity of MDAs and LG staff in the generation of statistics for evidence based planning, informing policy and utilising the statistics in their development programmes is one of the functions of UBOS.
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

4. Capacity Building for Statistics
Capacity building for statistics in the data revolution age could be defined as a long term process or strategy aimed at enhancing and strengthening the abilities at an individual, organisational and sector level to respond more effectively and efficiently to improve the data that is essential for policy requirements and decision- making, accountability and solving development challenges.
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

5. Capacity Building for Statistics
Key aspects to consider include:
Availability of resources (human capital, funding – government/donor, equipment) in the NSO and NSS
Data sources (surveys, censuses, administrative data)
Statistical products (mode/channels of dissemination)
Data quality
To have effective capacity building of a country, one has to measure its
statistical conditions.
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

6. UBOS Capacity Building Initiatives
Technical assistance for the NSS Staff
Technical assistance to UBOS Staff
In production of given statistical outputs, management skills, M& E, etc.
South - South cooperation
Recognising and identifying expertise in specific areas
UBOS provided support to: Household Surveys, Labour Statistics, Communication & PR, etc.
UBOS benefited in: Business Statistics, etc.
North - South cooperation
Oil & Gas; Transport Statistics, etc.
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

7. UBOS Capacity Building Initiatives
Training programs for the NSS Staff
Training MDAs & LGs Staff
Training conducted in partnership with Universities
Data collection, management, analysis; questionnaire designing; report writing, etc
Supporting training of LG officials in the field of Statistics at the East African Statistical Training Centre (EASTC) in Dar-el-Salaam
Financial support in collaboration with Development partners
(EU)
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

8. UBOS Capacity Building Initiatives
Training programs for the NSS Staff
Students’ Internship
In collaboration with Universities
Over 300 students posted to HLGs
Attachment of Statisticians
To Districts, Line Ministries and UBOS
Establishment of a Professional Service Unit (PSU)
Training Centre will be based at Entebbe Offices
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

9. UBOS Capacity Building Initiatives
Supporting the Development of Statistical Systems in the NSS
Providing the technical support to MDAs and LGs in developing Strategic Plans for Statistics
Plans in 22 MDAs and 38 LGs
Plans require MDAs & LGs to establish Statistics Units
Having focal persons for the Statistics activities for effective reporting mechanisms
Formation of District Statistics Committees
A platform to review the statistical development
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

10. UBOS Capacity Building Initiatives
Technical assistance in Management of data
Introduction of the Harmonised Database (HDB) – development of a one stop centre
Implementation of CIS Program in LGs
Technical assistance in compilation of Administrative data in MDAs & LGs
Technical assistance in data reporting
Production of Annual Statistical Abstracts for MDAs and LGs
One of the assessed performance indicators for LGs
Production of District Profiles
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

11. UBOS Capacity Building Initiatives
Meeting User Needs
Conduct training needs assessments; and respond accordingly
In regard to providing real time data, UBOS adopted use of
CAPI for data collection
Making available statistics findings in different formats (soft and hard copies)
Supplied computer equipments and accessories, solar panels
Engage LGs in data collection
Censuses and surveys
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

12. High level National Data Forum
Challenges
Decreasing budget allocations to UBOS
The existing IT infrastructure cannot be used to fully realise data capture, storage, processing, analysis and management capabilities in the current digital world
Incorporating the new innovations into the existing systems sustainably
The speed of change in technology that demands continuous training
High staff turnover especially in LGs
Low staffing in the MDAs and LGs in the Statistics Units
There is that fear of adaptation to the innovations
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

13. High level National Data Forum
Opportunities
The existing Development frameworks and Agenda
SDGs, Post 2015 Development Agenda, Africa Agenda 2063, NDP II…
Development partners and donors that provide support towards capacity building e.g. UNFPA, DFID, World Bank, IMF, SESRIC, etc.
Rapid spread of innovative technologies(e.g. mobile devices for data capture, advanced visualization tools in dissemination, etc.)
The existing structures within the NSS which is vital for efficient and effective capacity building in the data revolution age.
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

14. High level National Data Forum
Conclusion
These days, keynote addresses on the Sustainable Development Goals often end with the call to strengthen the capacity of national data ecosystem actors, in particular those within National Statistical Offices. This is an important message. But how can we do it? Is there eventually a need to profoundly change the way in which we approach capacity? Challenges in implementing the SDGs, increased data demands from all parts of society, new possibilities stemming from innovations in collecting, disseminating and using data – all of these developments seem to call for more than just incremental change in the way we build capacities. What could capacity building look like?
Johannes Jutting,
Manager of the Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21)
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

15. High level National Data Forum
9/6/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017