An E-government Readiness Assessment Framework for Uganda. A case study of Ugandan Ministries

Abstract

E-government is a global trend which has to be embraced by every Country if is to survive economically. This can be achieved through its citizen being ready to adopt ICT. This study was conducted in Uganda because it is one of the Mushrooming Countries with numerous challenges concerning the ICT adoption which has resulted into a decline in the level of e-readiness according to the current UN world ranking assessment. The objective of this study was to solicit requirements for measuring the level of e-government readiness in Uganda and specifically in the Ugandan selected Ministries. Methodologically, the study used quantitative data on 90 respondents who were purposively selected since they were the technocrats with information regarding e-government from the three Ministries of ICT and guidance, Finance planning and economic development and Ministry of Works and transport using a structured questionnaire. Out of the ninety questionnaires which were distributed to the respective staff in the above scope, only forty four questionnaires were correctly filled and returned, also interview guide was used for some respondents. Data was analysed using regression analysis, being one of the statistical tools appropriate for the given data. Findings revealed that the study contributes to existing theoretical and empirical literature by adding an E-government Readiness Assessment framework for assessing the e-readiness in the Ugandan Ministries. Additional six parameters (socio- demographic Information, e-commerce, e-government enablers, ICT Awareness, ICT policies and regulations) were added as an extension to Azab and others, integrated e-government framework for assessing the e-readiness of government. Reason being that it integrates seven dimensions for evaluating organizational e-government readiness including e-government strategy, user access, e-government programs, portal architecture, business processes, ICT infrastructure, and human resources and was in line with this study.  This study offers useful implications to e-government decision makers, ICT managers, ICT specialists and suppliers in the public sector by providing insights geared towards improving business decision-making, and expanding competitive advantage from effective e-government services. It equips key stakeholders with a framework that could be applied in performing regular assessment of e-government readiness to identify and provide suitable solutions. Ministries/organizations assigned responsibility for assessing e-government readiness will refer to this framework as a useful reserve during the e-government project implementation. The proposed framework for assessing e-government ICT readiness will decrease difficulties associated with ineffective e-government strategies in the public sector through understanding the important e-government dimensions highlighted in the proposed framework.