Unpackaging E-governance within the Perceptive of Community Development: A review of Selected Services in Uganda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/ijppa.2387Keywords:
E-Governance, Universal Education, Youth Welfare, Reproductive Health, Agricultural DevelopmentAbstract
Purpose: This study aimed to review the relationship between e-governance and local community development by specifically, focusing on four selected services, viz., universal education, youth welfare, reproductive health and agricultural development in Uganda.
Methodology: The study took a review of obtainable secondary literature by specifically looking at online materials both published works such as journal articles, policy statements, statistical reports as well as annual and/or quarterly reports. The choice of secondary literature, organized thematically, provided a wider purview of the scattered, yet vital aspects, pertaining e-governance in social service delivery.
Findings: The outcomes, from the review, indicate that Uganda has made several in-roads regarding universal primary education, youth welfare programs, reproductive healthcare services and agricultural development through various interventions aided by e-governance platforms. However, a number of systemic and structural challenges continue to pull-back national and local efforts especially seen from online mechanisms.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This review contributes immensely to the modern community transformation mooted in a digital era where enabling policies and practices can benefit from by reversing the impingements as well as the consolidating the success stories. We encourage the need for government to prioritize lowering the cost of internet services as a way of enhancing local community development; government should make sure that schools offering universal education should be facilitated with functional computer laboratories; government hospitals, at district level, should have a computer laboratory for data storage; and handy apps for farmers should be given priority so as to enhance smart agricultural development.
Downloads
References
Acanga, A., Mwesigwa, D., Oryang, A.C & Oboi, A. (2022a). The Efficacy of E-Governance Policy and Practice in Uganda: A Perspective Review. Public Policy and Administration Research, 12(1), 1-7. http://www.iiste.org/
Acanga, A., Mwesigwa, D., Oryang, A. C., & Oboi, A. (2022b). A perspective review on the policy, practice and challenges of embracing e-governance in Uganda. Journal of Modern Law and Policy, 3(1), 13–28. https://doi.org/10.47941/jmlp.1125
Aker, J. C., & Mbiti, I. M. (2016). Mobile phones and economic development in Africa. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 24(3), 207-232. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.24.3.207
Acheampong, E. (2019). Enhancing access to education through digital enrollment systems in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Education, 32(1), 10–22.
Adebayo, A. (2019). Digital farmer registration and agricultural subsidies in Nigeria: The Growth Enhancement Support Scheme. Journal of African Agricultural Studies, 12(3), 58–69.
Adeoye, O., & Ojo, A. (2019). Stakeholder engagement in basic education: Case study of Nigeria's UBE program. International Journal of Public Administration, 43(2), 102–115.
Ahimbisibwe, R. (2020). mHealth and reproductive health information dissemination in Uganda. Ugandan Journal of Public Health, 14(2), 102–115.
Akankwasa, K. & Byaruhanga, J. (2021). The Role of Mobile and Online Technology in Enhancing Access to Cross-Border Agricultural Marketplaces: Evidence from Uganda. Journal of Internet Commerce, 20(3), 241-258. doi: 10.1080/15332861.2021.1921506
Akena, D. (2021). Online counseling initiatives in Uganda during COVID-19. Journal of African Mental Health, 7(2), 134–141.
Aker, J. C., & Mbiti, I. M. (2016). Mobile phones and economic development in Africa. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 24(3), 207-232. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.24.3.207
Aker, J. C., & Mbiti, I. M. (2016). Mobile phones and economic development in Africa. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 24(3), 207-232. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.24.3.207
Bhattacharyya, J. (2004). Theorizing community development. Community Development, 34(2), 5–34.
Chirwa, L., & Mvulavavu, S. (2020). The role of digital tools in education monitoring and evaluation: A case of Malawi. African Journal of Education and Technology, 18(4), 67–81.
Gonzalez, M. (2020). EU partnerships with e-governance for youth engagement. European Public Affairs Review, 12(4), 203–214.
Jones, M. (2019). E-governance in the UK: Enhancing reproductive health through information sharing. British Journal of Healthcare, 10(1), 22–30.
Jones, R. (2022). Youth employment in the UK through e-governance initiatives. UK Journal of Public Policy, 19(1), 34–41.
Kamugisha, J. (2020). URA e-tax system's role in youth entrepreneurship. Ugandan Journal of Business, 5(2), 78–89.
Kasozi, A. (2020). Farmer identification for resource allocation in Uganda's Agricultural Cluster Development Project (ACDP). Ugandan Journal of Agricultural Policy, 14(2), 78–86.
Kim, J. (2020). South Korea’s open data and youth access. Journal of Open Government, 16(3), 56–70.
Kumar, S. (2020). Digital healthcare solutions for reproductive health in India: A case study of Aarogya Setu. Indian Journal of Public Health, 32(1), 56–67.
Kumar, S. (2020). eNAM and agricultural information delivery in India. Indian Journal of Agronomy, 34(1), 45–56.
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. (2020). E-Agriculture. Retrieved from http://www.agriculture.go.ug/eagriculture
Ministry of Agriculture, Uganda. (2020). E-voucher system for agricultural inputs. https://agriculture.go.ug
Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda. (2019). Universal Primary Education Report. https://www.education.go.ug
Ministry of Health, Uganda. (2015). National Health Management Information System (HMIS) StrategicPlan2015/162019/20.Retrievedfrom https://www.health.go.ug/sites/default/files/HMIS Strategic Plan 2015.pdf
Ministry of Health, Uganda. (2019). Uganda Telemedicine Policy Guidelines December 2019. Retrieved from https://www.health.go.ug/sites/default/files/Uganda_ Telemedicine_ policy nov 2019.pdf
Mkhize, T. (2023). E-governance and information dissemination in South African education. Journal of South African Public Administration, 55(3), 215–229.
Mugabi, P. (2021). Skilling Uganda’s impact on youth employment through e-governance. Development in Practice, 31(7), 875–885.
Mukama, S. (2022). Digital accountability in education resource allocation: Rwanda's experience. East African Journal of Policy and Administration, 12(1), 45–56.
Muriuki, J. (2020). AgriFin Digital Farmer: Digital agricultural extension in Kenya. East African Journal of Agriculture, 27(3), 89–95.
Mutebi, R. (2021). NAADS: Delivering agricultural information to rural farmers in Uganda. Journal of East African Agricultural Development, 18(2), 123–132.
Nabimanya, H. (2022). Uganda’s eCitizen portal and access to information for youth. Journal of East African Public Policy, 15(2), 112–123.
Nabimanya, P. (2021). EzyAgric and digital extension services in Uganda. Ugandan Journal of Technology in Agriculture, 16(1), 44–51.
Nabunya, P. (2021). E-governance for reproductive health in Uganda: The mTrac system. Journal of African Health Services, 7(1), 88–94.
Nakimuli, R. (2023). Public-private partnerships in Ugandan youth programs. East African Journal of Development, 11(1), 44–51.
Nakkazi, E. (2022). Telemedicine for reproductive health in Uganda: The role of Doctor Uganda app. Journal of East African Medical Technology, 19(3), 76–83.
Nanfuka, J. (2020). Using DHIS2 for reproductive health surveillance in Uganda. Ugandan Journal of Health Information, 5(2), 123–130.
Ngware, M. (2020). Digital recruitment in education: Kenya's Teachers Service Commission. Education Policy Review, 29(1), 33–47.
O’Reilly, T. (2015). Open government: Collaboration, transparency, and participation in the 21st century. Harvard Kennedy School. https://www.hks.harvard.edu/publications/open-government-collaboration- transparency-and-participation-21st-century
OECD. (2020). Skills for a digital world: The role of the education sector. https://www.oecd.org/education/skills-for-a-digital-world-10fa0280-en.htm
Okello, T. (2022). E-research tools for young academics in Uganda. Makerere University Journal of Research, 10(3), 22–33.
Omoding, S. (2020). Youth engagement in Uganda through e-governance. Journal of African Governance, 14(1), 57–69.
Park, S. (2021). Public health surveillance and reproductive health in South Korea. Journal of Asian Public Health, 15(2), 94–103.
Parker, C., Cummings, L., & Whelan, C. (2020). The role of government job portals in connecting youth with employment opportunities. Journal of Employment and Labor Relations, 19(2), 85-100. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeer.1199
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
Sharma, A. (2019). Digital skill development through PMKVY in India. Indian Journal of Social Development, 8(4), 45–53.
Simutowe, T. (2021). Continuous professional development through e-training in Zambia. Journal of Education Development in Africa, 15(2), 89–99.
Smith, L. (2019). Youth access to research resources: The Australian Research Data Commons. Australian Journal of Educational Research, 23(2), 102–115.
Smith, L. (2021). Telehealth for reproductive health: A study of Planned Parenthood in the USA. American Journal of Telemedicine, 26(4), 315–322.
Tan, H. (2021). Singapore’s GoBusiness portal and youth entrepreneurship. Singapore Journal of Public Policy, 27(3), 63–72.
Tumusiime, B. (2021). NSSF Go App: Uganda’s approach to youth employment through e- governance. Ugandan Journal of Technology, 12(1), 90–98.
Uganda National Farmers Federation. (n.d.). KilimoApp. Retrieved from http://www.unffe.org/media/Kilimo%20App%20e-brochure%205_9_20.pdf
UNESCO. (2019). Youth and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000371285
UNICEF. (2019). State of the world’s children 2019: Children, food and nutrition. https://www.unicef.org/reports/state-of-worlds-children-2019
United Nations. (n.d.). Definition of youth. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/youth/fact-sheets/youth-definition.pdf
Vassil, K. (2016). E-governance and youth engagement in Estonia. Journal of Baltic Studies, 47(1), 28–42.
Wamuyu, P. (2021). COVID-19 and e-learning adoption in Uganda's primary education sector. Uganda Journal of Digital Education, 14(1), 34–50.
Wang, L., Li, S., & Zhang, Y. (2017). Application of GIS technology in agricultural information management. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 139, 62-70.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2017.05.016
Williams, M. (2022). Online mental health support for youth in Canada. Journal of Canadian Health, 15(1), 54–60.
World Bank. (2016). World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends. https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2016
World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Reproductive health and rights. https://www.who.int
World Health Organization. (2019). Uganda eHealth Atlas: Profile. Retrieved from https://www.ursb.go.ug/active-activities/regulation-implementation/ehealth-in-uganda/
Zhao, W., & Zhang, H. (2018). Strategies for enhancing digital inclusion in rural areas: A review. Information Technology for Development, 24(2), 255-271. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2017.1400122
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Godfred Ayoma, Semmy Ajok, Catherine Amito, Phedru Obele, Daniel Okullu, David Mwesigwa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.