Aspects of the Status of Management Information Systems and the Information Needs for Public Administration in Uganda

This paper examines the status and evaluates the progress made towards the establishment of a management information system (MIS) for public administration in Uganda as well as considering the information needs of public administration in the country. The study focuses on the information systems of two central government ministries, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MFPED), and the local administration of five districts. In addition to a literature review, questionnaires were administered to 530 respondents. Data collected was analysed using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The study reveals that although public administration in Uganda is based on New Public Management (NPM), an approach which exploits IT-based MIS, the information system that is in place is still dependant on printed data. Computer supplies are dismally inadequate, favour central as opposed to local government, and use of basic applications such as word-processing, constitutes the bulk of computer competency. Thus, the application of a management information system within a networked-computer environment barely exists. The study recommends developing ICT policy strengthening MIS training, developing MIS infrastructure and providing and developing sectoral information analysis centres with relevant rights and obligations.