KAMPALA: Kasule Lumumba, the Minister in Charge of General duties in the office of the Prime Minister has welcomed the National Planning Authority (NPA) NDP Web-based Integrated M&E system aimed at transparency and accountability saying it is one of the critical intervention and tools for public sector monitoring and evaluation for producing timely reports for evidence based decision making.
Lumumba who was representing the Prime Minister Rt Hon Robina Nabbanja at the launch of National Population Aurthority’s NDP web-based integrated M&E system said the system will improve timely progress on the performance on the NDP.
She shared that it will also improve the accessibility, quality and updating of M&E data, the transparency of progress made, the accountability for results and consequently the interest and engagement of stakeholders in reform and implementation processes across the entire government.
“The launch of this system is a step in the right direction. As you are aware, on 30th June 2021, marks the end of the first year of the implementation of the NDP and Manifesto, therefore, the launch is in time to track NDPIII progress performance for the first year of the Plan and Manifesto,” she shared.
According to Lumumba, the system is expected to facilitate the oversight role of the OPM, and empower the Programme Secretariats, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Local Governments (LGs) with the information they need to ensure that we track NDPIII programme level results.
She thanked the European Union, the Development Partner who has supported this intervention and the National Planning Authority (NPA) who on Government’s side have worked closely with the different government entities to spearhead the development of this much needed system.
“I am glad that the system allows for tracking of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In these covid19 times, this online platform will support production of timely reports given its link to the other systems, hence supporting the green growth strategy and Sustainable Development.”
Dr Joseph Muvawala the Executive Director, NPA, said the plan set out five objectives, 20 strategies and 20 to ensure focus on delivery of common results and reduce ‘silo’ working modality and enhance synergies.
He shared that planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring should be in line with the plan with average economic growth rate of 6.2 percent, increase income per capita to USD 1,301, lower poverty rate to 18.5 percent and reduction in income inequality as the key expected NDP results.
Muvawala explained that the NDP Web-based Integrated M&E system was put in place because over the NDP span, progress monitoring and reporting was uneven, inconsistent and evaluations were a challenge due to lack of baseline information for most indicators, mismatch between the time of release of Survey data and NDP reporting requirements.
There were also overlaps in performance indicators at different levels of the results framework and lack of MISs for data collection for most Institutions including LGs
“This system will strengthen the M&E function through production of periodic performance reports for example GAPR, APEX Platform oversight reports on NDP implementation; the Manifesto progress reports will be generated and the MISs developed (EMIS & HMIS) can easily be linked to this system,” he shared.
Dr Muvawala added that; “This system will improve seven key areas: transparency and accuracy of progress made, accessibility, quality and updating of M&E data, accountability for results, stakeholder engagement in reform and implementation processes.”
He said the system will also harmonize the existing MISs across government, strengthen M&E capacity across government and also increase knowledge management.
The launch was also attended by European Union Acting Head of Mission, State Minister for Finance, Amos Lugolobi, chairperson, National Planning Authority, Prof. Pamela K Mbabazi.
