and adopting hands on resource tracking tools, such as public expenditure and tracking surveys (PETS) which were launched in 1996. Other endeavours to promote openness in Uganda have included the establishment of the Auditor General’s Office, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), and the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. These have made government accountability information (including tracking and monitoring) available to the public with varying levels of success. In Uganda, all respondents mentioned that the central data collection agency is the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). The bureau is semi-autonomous, and is responsible for co-ordinating and supervising the national statistical system and the principle data processing, analysing and disseminating agency. It collects periodical national household surveys, carries out censuses and collects other generic data. Factors that influence open data can be loosely defined as the conditions, influences, activities, systems and people that create, fuel, motivate and support the open data process at various stages. The Op e n d a t a a n d r e s o u r c e a l l o c a t i o n f o r p o v e r t y e r a d i c a t i o n drivers to open data may influence the initiative as a whole, or may potentially motivate or support different stages or actors of the ecosystem. Figure 1 provides a summary of the drivers to the open data processes in Kenya and Uganda as indicated by the respondents. Resource allocation and civic engagement While there have been several advocacy campaigns for resource allocation to pro-poor sectors, these cannot be directly attributed to availability (or non-availability) of open data. It was found that poverty eradication is a function of not only availability of open data, but a number of other factors such as availability and implementation of inclusive policies and improved social service delivery as a result of allocating resources to those sectors dominated by the poor. It was, however, established that there are indirect links between the impact of open data and poverty eradication. Our interviews uncovered that KODI played a part in promoting citizen engagement, mostly using media as a mechanism for informing citizens. In both countries, an open data portal was identified as a platform for interface between government and citizens, with the latter’s Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 83 Figure 1: Drivers of open data Category Legislative Political Technical and capacity drivers Supply and demand drivers Description Legislative drivers provide a legal framework within which open data can exist and operate. They are the institutional structures or institutional operating environments that make conditions conducive for operationalisation and implementation of open data. Legal frameworks make non-compliance a criminal offence that is punishable by law. Uganda has legal frameworks in place that would drive open data initiatives. The most important of these is the Freedom of Information Act 2005. In Kenya, the Freedom of Information law is still a bill. This, however, did not deter the establishment of KODI. Political enablers complement the legislative framework for open data. Political will and political commitment backed with resources are key drivers in pushing forward the open data agenda and influencing government and non-government stakeholders to institutionalise and enable operationalisation of the legal prerequisites for open data. In Kenya, much of the success of KODI is attributed to the open data ‘champion’, a political figure who rallied support for the initiative. With support from the highest political office, the champion ensured that sector ministries were obligated to make information available. For open data to gain momentum there has to be an increase in innovation in ICTs. Some of these innovations include computer use, database management and software design. In addition, there should be an increase in the scope and coverage of ICTs, including to the rural and underserved areas. Open data is driven by the capacity to use computers, especially if one is to use and analyse data. The use and analysis of data for resource allocation requires special training in data analysis (which is costly) and, to a certain extent, high level of education. Open data exists because of supply and demand of data. Absence of either distorts the open-data ecosystem. Demand for data is also hinged on awareness of the availability of data (as well as awareness of the presence of the Access to Information Act). Increased awareness of the availability and accessibility of data would increase the demand and use of data at various levels – such as academia, media, advocacy groups and community groups. This would in turn increase the demand for accountability and transparency from the government, which would have a positive effect on resource allocation for poverty eradication.
CEP template 2012
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