Ismael Ddumba Nyanzi

Uganda

Biography

Before joining the USAID-funded MEASURE Evaluation project and subsequently the D4I project, the Ismael Ddumba Nyanzi worked in collaboration with the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, dedicating efforts to research and evaluation within the realm of child care and protection. Direct engagement with stakeholders at both national and district levels aimed to enhance routine data collection and utilization. Through this experience, the realization dawned that building or enhancing capacity for data collection and usage is a nuanced process, necessitating a thorough understanding of diverse stakeholder perspectives.

The approach involved delving into the reasons behind the lack of data collection and utilization, subsequently collaborating with providers and decision-makers to address the underlying issues. Solutions ranged from behavioral and organizational aspects to technical considerations, requiring a comprehensive examination of various factors. The objective was to navigate through a web of challenges and barriers, facilitating a collective path forward. Ensuring access to essential tools and institutional support emerged as crucial components in the ability to produce and utilize data effectively.

Nyanzi's involvement extended to the introduction of participatory data reviews, a practice widely adopted in the health sector for monitoring HIV care and treatment progress. This approach, relatively new in the field of child care system reform, revealed a scarcity of routine data collection and review practices for children in alternative care across many countries.

In Uganda, inadequate capacity existed at both district and national levels for aggregating, analyzing, visualizing, and facilitating the review and interpretation of data. Despite this, the recognition of data's value in decisions related to care system reform was growing. The commitment persisted in supporting the Ugandan Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development (MGLSD) to enhance administrative data collection, reporting, and usage. This encompassed integrating routine alternative care data into the annual budgeting and planning processes. The foundation laid by D4I aimed to foster increased data use, contributing to improved processes, information systems, and staff and resource coordination for monitoring the country's child care system reform.

Contributing to the transformation of care for children stood out as one of Nyanzi's most significant life privileges. The experience underscored the importance of patience, innovative thinking, and flexibility. Respect for the MGLSD and other collaborators, coupled with appreciation for their insights into needs, effective efforts, and essential steps for progress, defined the approach to this vital endeavor.