What Value Will NIMES Add to the Current M & E Framework?

It is hoped that NIMES will be the catalyst in putting in place effective public information management that supports evidence-based planning.  It will play an important role in identifying parallel M & E systems, and provide incentive to improve the quality of data that is produced and the way in which it is used.  NIMES will also make sure that existing M & E systems are compatible with each other, and with national reporting requirements.  With NIMES in place, there will be a significant reduction in the direct national cost of monitoring and evaluation in the medium and long term, particularly since harmonized information systems will mean less duplication in time and resources spent on M & E.  Indirectly, NIMES will contribute to better programmes and services for the people of Uganda by building the capacity of Government institutions to use evidence for decision making.

Strengthening the M & E Coordination

NIMES is intended to make sure that data produced matches the information that is required at various levels of decision making.  It will do this by putting in place an institutional platform that brings together those who produce data and those who use data.  This will ensure that:. Policy makers are able to clearly specify their data and information needs

. The data and information needs specified are feasible
. Data producers know what the information needs are
. Data producers can provide relevant, timely and accurate data
. Data and information that is produced will be made available to those who need it
 
This will mean that there will be less information gaps, and that data that is collected will be utilized to its fullest potential. 


NIMES, the PEAP and Other Policy Frameworks

At a national level, the most important overarching Government policy framework is that of the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP).  The data needs of the PEAP are specified in the PEAP matrix, which outlines the PEAP targets and indicators.  These are agreed on by the relevant sectors ministries and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.  Once these are set, NIMES hopes to be able to add value by:. Providing feedback on the consistency of the PEAP matrix

. Providing feedback on the likelihood of being able to measure agreed indicators
. Matching the agreed indicators with operational information systems
. Ensuring that accurate, reliable and timely information is available to those who need it

Although the PEAP will be an important focus of NIMES, it will by no means be the only one.  Examples of other policy frameworks that could be covered by NIMES will include the PRSC (Poverty Reduction Support Credit) Policy Matrix, the PMA (Plan for the Modernization of Agriculture), the HIV/AIDS policy and the Social Development Sector Investment Plan.  NIMES will also build on the work done by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) on data needs at district level, and the work of the Ministry of Local Government on the design of LOGICS (Local Government Information and Communication System).   

Information Dissemination

The NIMES institutional framework is geared towards making sure that data and information that is generated through various M & E systems is made available to those who need it.  An overall dissemination and feedback strategy will be developed with stakeholders, and a key task of the NIMES secretariat will be to ensure that relevant information is provided to decision makers in a user-friendly format.  It will also work towards putting in place feedback mechanisms, where information users can express their opinions not just about data that has been produced, but also about policies that are developed as a result.  NIMES will use a number of tools to make information more widely available.  These will include, amongst others:

Uganda Info - Uganda Info is a national database developed by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).  It contains a wide range of development indicators and data, which can be presented in many different formats, including maps, tables and graphs.  NIMES will work closely with UBOS in order to ensure that: . Uganda Info is regularly updated on information needs of decision makers

. Other M & E systems feed into Uganda Info
. Uganda Info provides regular reports on key policy indicators
. Uganda Info is widely accessible

LOGICS - LOGICS (Local Government Information and Communication Systems) is a management information system for local Governments developed by the Ministry of Local Government.  It contains information on a range of indicators that are important to assessing the performance of services provided by local authorities.  Once it is fully up and running, LOGICS will serve as a 'one-stop-shop' for all data on local Government.  NIMES will work closely with the Ministry of Local Government to make sure that:. LOGICS is regularly updated on information needs of decision-makers

. LOGICS feeds into Uganda Info
. LOGICS does not duplicate or overlap with other MIS systems
. Local Government capacity is built so that LOGICS can be used to its fullest potential

M & E Capacity

NIMES will play an important role in improving capacity in monitoring and evaluation, and in building a culture of planning with an information base.  Building M & E capacity will not only include enhancing the skills of those people involved in data collection and data use, but also improving the technology that is used to collect and analyse data, and creating an enabling environment where M & E is featured as a national priority. 

NIMES will:

. Work together with stakeholders to understand what skills and resources are required by users and producers of information
. Design a capacity building programme that addresses these needs
. Identify good training opportunities and appropriate resources
. Make reference materials on M & E available to all those involved

NIMES Outputs

As a coordination framework, many information reports are already being produced which will feed into NIMES.  These currently include: 

 The Poverty Status Report (every 2 years)§
 The PEAP Progress Report§ (every 2 years)
 Sectoral Joint Review Reports (every 6§ months)
 Participatory Poverty Assessments (every 2 years)§
 Statistical§ Survey Reports
 Budget Framework Paper (every year)§
 Background to the§

Budget document (every year)Once NIMES is operationalised, the NIMES Secretariat will work closely with stakeholders to try to harmonise and rationalise these reports in order to make them concise and useful.  NIMES will have a number of its own outputs, including the 'National Policy and Program Performance Status Report' which will be published every year, and which will include information that is channeled into NIMES from various sources.