The Uhuru Project

In keeping with the spirit of citizen engagement that forms one of the core values of the Open Government Partnership, we at Uhuru Blog have decided to track the 25 commitments laid out in the draft action plan. We, the people, have a right to know whether our government is capable on delivering on its promises and to do this we need to track the promises in a systematic way.These commitments will be judged as either having been kept, broken or comprised upon depending on implementation or the lack of it!

We hope to get feedback on the process from all the concerned Tanzanians viewing this page. Have your say on whether you agree or disagree with our assessment on particular commitments or if we have missed something. We would like this to be a community effort where we can independently verify  and keep track of the successes of the much touted Open Government Partnership.

Some Commitments have been reviewed. Click on the links below to learn more!

TANZANIA'S OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMITMENTS

1. TRANSPARENCY:

#1.1 Quarterly reports on the progress of implementation of OGP commitments (the official version of what we are doing here).

#1.2 Posting orders and receipts of medical supplies from the Medical Stores Department (MSD) online and on notice boards.

#1.3 Strengthen ministerial and other Government institutions websites, to post online within one month, all reports, studies, data, circulars, and other  public interest data in machine readable format, except those which compromise national security.

#1.4 Produce annual citizens' budget document  in a simplified language 
(both in Kiswahili and English).

#1.5 Review formula based grant allocation system to suit current needs of Local Government Authorities (LGAs), and publish all LGAs allocations online.

#1.6 Post quarterly disbursements and execution reports  on  Ministry of Finance (MoF) website in machine readable format, updated in real time.

#1.7 Ensure LGAs  abide  to  the existing requirements of posting approved budgets, disbursements and execution reports on the boards and public places (capitation grants, development grants, LGAs own revenue).

#1.8 Publish quarterly all Tax Exemptions granted in Health, Education and Water related  sectors on the Ministry of Finance (MOF) website, in machine readable format.

#1.9 Encourage donors to exercise greater transparency of donor funding given to Tanzania (Government,  Civil  Society, and Private Sector) consistent with International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) principles. Likewise,  Government, Civil Society and Private Sectors should  post online revenues and expenditures, in machine readable format on an annual basis.

#1.10 Study global best practice of freedom of information laws in order to generate inputs for preparation of  a potential freedom of information Bill.

#1.11 Publishing of Parastatal Organizations, Executive Agencies and Regulatory Authorities revenues and expenditure on websites and news papers.

2. CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT:

#2.1 Improve Citizens' Website (www.wananchi.go.tz) to make it  more robust and responsive as a platform for citizens to participate in the running of Government, and produce monthly reports on effectiveness of the citizen‟s website.

#2.2 A platform for citizens to engage with the government by sending comments using email and mobile phones and receiving feedback.

#2.3 Establish an open forum  in collaboration with civil society to review quality, integrity, depth and pace of progress against OGP commitments.

#2.4 Establish a clear and reliable contact point and address for OGP communication within the Government.

3. ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTEGRITY:

#3.1 Improve National Audit Office/Controller and Auditor General's website to make it more open and user friendly and provide data in machine readable format

#3.2 Develop and/or review Clients Service Charters  of Health, Education and Water sectors for both national and facility level services, and make them accessible to citizens.

#3.3 Review existing complaints register to ensure that complaints received are attended to and feedback on action taken is documented and posted to the prioritized sectors' website quarterly.

#3.4 Strengthen  existing  LGAs Service Boards and Committees in order to make them serve citizens more effectively.

#3.5 Prepare legislative amendments and regulations  to  strengthen asset disclosures of public officials.

4. TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION:

#4.1 Finalize Water Point  Mapping System for LGAs and make the disaggregated data available online.

#4.2 Strengthen the use of sectoral Management Information Systems (health, education, water), by making  disaggregated data available online in machine readable format.

#4.3 Explore the feasibility of establishing "Nifanyeje?". A  website where citizens can get practical information of how to go  about getting Government services (e.g. getting a scholarship for university, water or electricity services, driver's license, business license, passport and other services) and what to do if they are unable to secure the service in the required time.

#4.4 Study global good practice on data disclosure for establishment of www.data.go.tz website that reflects high global standards to contain a substantial number of Government held data sets.

#4.5 Foster communities of local ICT entrepreneurs and actors to spur greater innovation, transparency and citizen engagement.