Go v e r n a n c e f o r i n c l u s i o n : P a r t i c i p a t i o n a n d d i a l o g u e Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 84 need to know being served by the datasets. In Kenya, KODI included a mechanism for citizens to make requests for datasets that were not yet available on the portal. In Uganda, the Baraza programme led by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) provides an opportunity for interaction between local communities and their leaders on the sharing of public information, with a focus on effective monitoring of public service provision (on the part of the leaders) and demand for accountability and transparency (on the part of the local population). However, in both countries, the present role of open data in citizen engagement is unclear. We identified that a limiting factor in undertaking this study was in securing duty bearers’ resources (contact time) to take part. We were unable to ascertain whether open data was being used to affect resource allocation decisions by duty bearers or whether the presence of data would necessarily guarantee its use in decision-making. Many of those interviewed were of the opinion that duty bearers in public office are not responding to the existence of open data in any way. Respondents in both Kenya and Uganda asserted that the allocation of resources is not scientific, but relies heavily on experience and conversations between a very limited set of policymakers. Furthermore, the majority of the respondents suggested the need for increased awareness, as well as better tools and ways to communicate information that the common wananchi (citizen) can easily consume. Recommendations Partnership/collaboration. The open data initiative should be approached by its promoters through an ecosystem mechanism in which all actors should come together to avoid duplication and support each other. For example, in one of the discussions held by the UBOS, an official suggested that university students should be ushered into UBOS geo-coding work to begin mapping, studying and supporting the open data processes. Partnership/collaboration should include government ministries, departments and agencies; selected individuals; civil society; and public–private partnerships among others. Open data champion. Emphasis was put on the role that an open data ‘champion’ – a political figure responsible for rallying support for the initiative with support from the highest political office – would play in promoting open data in both countries. Capacity-building and raising awareness. The capacity of actors to use data effectively needs to be built on in a number of ways, including the capacity to effectively access, analyse and use data, and to present data as information that can be used for decisionmaking and change. Data standards and quality. For effective open data initiatives, there is need for the promoters to embrace both international and national data collection and analysis standards. Data standards refer to guidelines through which interacting parties can confidently exchange information. The standards may include procedures, implementation guidelines and usage directives. Conclusions As Charles Lwanga-Ntale (2014), regional director of the Development Initiatives Africa Hub, said: ‘Data is good but it becomes better when it is analysed; analysis is good but it becomes better when it makes good messages; messages are good but they become better when they can be translated into good policy and practice; policy and practice is good but only useful when it provides a platform for interlocking, interacting and networking of stakeholders.’ There is no individual programme that can efficiently address data, data analysis, information, policy and interaction. The open data ecosystem, supported by an enabling policy and political environment, provides an interaction for all these actors. In an open data ecosystem, there are vertical and horizontal linkages and relationships. Policies flow from the top to the bottom, but Figure 2: Barriers to open data systems Barriers to the supply of data Political barriers: political reluctance stifles the release of data and delays open data in open data initiatives Financial barriers: dedicated resources are vital for the implementation of open data initiatives Legislative and institutional barriers: lack of a legal environment, or weak legislative implementation will not provide a conducive environment for operation Technological barriers: technology is important for making data available and usable Barriers to the demand and use of data Lack of quality: usage of data is unlikely if the data is of poor quality or cannot be relied on Lack of interest and capacity: data is important for as long as people have an interest in making useful information out of it and have the capacity to do so Limited technology: users may lack the appropriate technology to access data or the data may be in a format that is not user friendly There are indirect links between the availability of open data and poverty eradication Rebecca Nduku
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