By Kabuye Ronald
The United Nations Association of Uganda (UNAU) has mobilized local council leaders from all five divisions of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) that’s Kampala Central, Kawempe, Lubaga, Nakawa, and Makindye to embrace and utilize Citizen-Generated Data (CGD) in policymaking and program implementation aimed at national development.
Speaking at an engagement held in Kampala on Thursday, Linda Asaba, UNAU’s Programs Manager and Project Coordinator for the Accelerate SDGs initiative in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, emphasized the significance of CGD. She urged local leaders to adopt the practice since they are in close contact with grassroots communities and can easily access accurate, real-time data. Such data, she noted, is critical in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which culminate in 2030.
“The objective of this meeting is to familiarize local leaders with the basics of Citizen-Generated Data,” Asaba said. “We realized that many people unknowingly engage in CGD. It’s about formalizing and properly utilizing this data to inform decision-making.”
She also encouraged leaders to continue being active citizens themselves and to work toward building trust with the communities they serve. “Ensure that citizens know you understand and address their concerns. This strengthens unity and empowers the public,” she added.
Marie Nanyanzi, Senior Programs Officer at Twaweza East Africa, also spoke at the meeting, highlighting the value of CGD in identifying priority community issues such as unemployment, limited access to healthcare, and corruption, areas where focused interventions are most needed.
“This data shines a light on what truly matters to communities,” Nanyanzi remarked.
Judith Nansereko from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) provided insights into various methods of data generation. She emphasized CGD’s vital role in SDG reporting by complementing official statistics, bridging data gaps, and contributing to Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs).
“For instance, using CGD in hospitals can help track progress on SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being,” she noted. “It also enhances local governance by promoting citizen participation and accountability, leading to stronger collaboration between leaders and communities.”
UNAU Secretary General Richard Baguma Tinkasimire called on both leaders and citizens to critically assess and effectively use citizen-generated data. He encouraged them to stay engaged in discussions around development and never grow weary of addressing community challenges.
Local leaders who participated in the meeting praised UNAU for organizing the session, describing it as an eye-opener. They expressed their commitment to applying CGD in enhancing service delivery in their respective communities.
