The government of Uganda through NITA-Uganda is modernizing its e-Government by introducing digital public services. The Government of Uganda (GoU) has since 2012 developed a number of ICT systems in Government. This will be implemented using the e-Gov Interoperability framework (e-GIF) in a 52 draft proposal document authored by Estonians on behalf of NITA-U. The Estonian government has demonstrated great ability to digitize its economy and the govt sought its services to advise on the e-GIF.
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There are currently 326 ICT systems available from which 176 appear to be doing similar if not duplicated functions. It implies not only duplication of functions but also
wasting already scarce resources.
In the draft document, the Estonias releaved that the government has systems that are isolated and largely disparate that are not sharing data and information with each other. Citizens and businesses carry information from one organization to another using paper documents like certificates, proofs, receipts, evidence, etc. For the govt agencies that have built applications that offer digital services, sharing of information between these GOU agencies is limited.
The project is meant to harmonize govt digitization efforts to avoid digital
fragmentation of services and data. To guarantee digital information sharing, we need to set up and run interoperable systems which ensure effective communication between digital components such as devices, networks, and data repositories.
The objective of this eGovernment Interoperability Framework, hereinafter: e-GIF, is to outline the main principles and general guidelines enabling development and implementation of shared electronic services for citizens, businesses, and MDAs in the Ugandan Government.
The e-GIF proposal heavily inspired by the European Interoperability Framework (EIF). EIF is a generic framework applicable to any countries. The e-GIF use the terminology and structure of the EIF, the content is adjusted to the GoU national policies, strategies, and guidelines.
Interoperability is both a prerequisite for and a facilitator of the efficient delivery of public services. The Interoperability framework aims to improve:
- cooperation between MDAs aiming at the establishment of public services
- information exchange between MDAs to fulfil legal requirements or political commitments
- sharing and reusing information among MDAs to increase administrative efficiency and reduce administrative burden on citizens and businesses.
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