A model to enhance the use of open data in e-governance from a user perspective: case of ministry of finance, planning, and economic development, Uganda

Abstract

Open data has become a force to reckon with especially its adoption by Governments for e-governance. The concept of Open Government Data has been welcomed by Governments around the globe with enthusiasm owing to the numerous benefits and promises to address social issues such as corruption that are tagged to it. Several authors though have indicated that most Governments focus on the release of data in their custody hoping to achieve transparency and accountability to the citizens. These authors suggest that it’s not enough to just publish and avail data but there is a need to address the demand side of data - that is the users and their data needs. This study focused on proposing a model that could guide Government’s Open Data implementation determining requirements for the model through Library and Empirical research methods. Three existing models were reviewed and the basis of these three rested on Strategy formulation. It was also established that context and environment in which Open data is used is critical to setting an effective Open data implementation strategy to change the relationship between government and citizens, enabling greater transparency, accountability and responsiveness to meet the needs and demands of the people. The research adopted a case study approach looking at the Budget Information Portal in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to gain insight into the specific nature of use of this portal establishing key features to enable drawing generalisations. The study proposed a model addressing issues of ease of access and use looking at alternative ways in which data can reach the users especially the use of Intermediaries and an enabling environment to give and receive feedback. It also addresses capacity building and expansion of the National backbone Infrastructure to promote access and use of data made available to the citizens by the government.