1. Uganda Bureau of Statistics High level National Data Forum
HIGH LEVEL NATIONAL DATA FORUM UGANDA Leveraging the Data Revolution for National Development Strengthening the National Data Ecosystem through Partnerships and Innovation
By Norah Madaya,
Uganda Bureau of Statistics
15 NOV 2017
11/16/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

2. High level National Data Forum
OUTLINE
Background
Statistical landscape and trend in Uganda
Statistical Coordination
Partnerships
Way Forward
11/16/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

3. High level National Data Forum
INTRODUCTION …
Uganda has a decentralised Statistical System - so the burden of statistics production falls on UBOS, Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and Higher Local govts
UBOS is mandated to produce, coordinate and disseminate Official Statistics; monitor & supervise the National Statistical System ~ 40% of NSS data.
~ 60% of data that supports policy formulation, monitoring performance, planning and decision making is produced by Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs).
The Data Revolution Era has revealed – invisible data producers in the Data Ecosystem (Big data Vs ‘little data’, citizen generated data)
11/16/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

4. High level National Data Forum
INTRODUCTION .
The demand for statistics continues to grow in response to changes in: demographic, social, economic, environmental and political factors in the country;
The national, regional, continental and international commitments that impact on the monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
The Data challenges have increased in National Statistical System (NSS) owing to emerging development frameworks.
Neither UBOS, MDAs nor HLG can singly satisfy user needs. Coordination, collaboration and partnerships is inevitable for effective data production, quality and access.
Coordination and collaboration must be reinforced through the legal framework, and related instruments
11/16/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

5. FRUITS OF COORDINATION & COLLABORATION
UBOS
MDAs
HLGs
Academia
CSOs
PS??
Minimised duplication of effort and increased harmony of programmes
Functional Statistical systems
Integration of data from different sources & Comparability
Efficiency and effectiveness in statistical development
Limited fatigue by different actors in the NSS. (Ref: Kiregyera 2015)
Satisfied data users and evidence based policies and decisions
11/16/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

6. BINDING STATISTICAL COORDINATION INSTRUMENTS
The Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics (FPOS)
African Charter for Statistics
The UBOS Act, 1998
Transformative Agenda
The Cape Town Global Action Plan
11/16/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

7. Details on Coordination Instruments
Principle No. 8
“Coordination among statistical agencies within countries is essential to achieve consistency and efficiency in the statistical system
Fundamental Principles of official Statistics
Strengthen national statistical systems and the coordination role of national statistical offices;
Resolution from SDG Platform – UN Statistical Commission
The UBOS Act (1998)
Enhancing coordination of activities, institutions and partner’s interventions at national, regional and international levels
The Africa Statistical Charter
The Cape Town Global Action Plan 4 SDGs
The Transformative Agenda
Establishes the Bureau as a coordinating, monitoring and supervisory body for the National Statistical System
11/16/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

8. Types of Coordination in the NSS
Actors
Issue of convergence
Data users and producers
Clarify policy issues and data requirements to direct data producers and users.
Data producers
Emphasized by Principle 8 of the UNFPOS. Statistics producers should work in a complementary manner with the NSO as a point of reference
Data producers and suppliers
Enhancing the response rates and reducing the respondents burden.
Data producers and Research
providing more detailed information though further analysis of statistical information and therefore anonymized Raw data
Academia
Donor Coordination
Training and professionalization of practicing statisticians
Financing and technical support
Uganda Bureau of Statistics ¤ Plot 9 Colville Street, Kampala Uganda ¤ Website:
Tel: +256(0) ¤
11/16/2018

9. CHALLENGES WITH STATISTICS COORDINATION
Statistical structures in MDAs and HLGs are not fully institutionalized.
The legal framework does not prevail over MDAs survey undertakings.
 Low levels of staffing of the unit
Silo Mentality ‘mine’ Vs ‘collective - Ours’
Inadequate commitment to factors driving coordination such as harmonised IT platforms
Resistance to joint survey undertakings.
11/16/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

10. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN NATIONAL STANDARD INDICATOR FRAME
SDG DATA WORKING GROUP
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
(National Planning Authority)
IAC, TWG
CSOs
NATIONAL STANDARD INDICATOR FRAME
(PNSD - UBOS)
SDGs, Africa Agenda 2063
16 Sectors = 16 SDG –(Statistics plans)
Private Sector
Ministries, Departments & Agencies
MONITORING & EVALUATION (Governt Annual Report) OPM)
FINANCING – MOFPED –
Budget
Uganda Bureau of Statistics ¤ Plot 9 Colville Street, Kampala Uganda ¤ Website:
Tel: +256(0) ¤
11/16/2018

11. PARTNERSHIP BY WORKING GROUPS
Core data producers & Users – Producer – Partnership with User Committees – inform quantity, quality and access to data/statistical information.
Partnership with NPA, MoFPED, OPM & UBOS in the design of the National Standard Indicator (NSI) Framework;
Partnership with subject specific experts – Report writing, Statistical Audit and quality assurance.
Partnership with Development Partners on Surveys and census financing eg. UDHS, NSDS, Agricultural and Population Censuses.; NDF.ETC
11/16/2018
Uganda Bureau of Statistics ¤ Plot 9 Colville Street, Kampala Uganda ¤ Website:
Tel: +256(0) ¤

12. INNOVATION AND MODERNIZATION OF THE NATIONAL STATISTICAL SYSTEM
The NSS should adopt innovative and modern technology to strengthen data collection, processing, dissemination and storage (real time data);
Exploit open data initiatives and include them in the Statistics law.
 Increase public access to official statistics
Exploit Visualization of data
promote standard structures for data integration and automation of data exchange across agencies, and
Promote interoperability of Information Systems
11/16/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

13. EFFECTIVE COORDINATION, SMART PARTNERSHIPS & INNOVATION
How can the NSS leverage this effort to deliver quality official statistics.
Who are the invisible actors and what mechanisms can we use leverage their information?
What strategic approaches should be adopted in the short, medium and long term to enhance; coordination, partnerships, & innovation?
11/16/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

14. High level National Data Forum
WAY FORWARD
Coordination, collaboration and Partnerships are essential for a functional and inclusive data ecosystem.
SDGs, NDP II, Vision can only be realized with a strong commitment to global & national partnership and cooperation.
Innovation is the pathway to better information sharing and access
11/16/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017

15. High level National Data Forum
11/16/2018
High level National Data Forum
14th -17th November 2017