In January, the Capacity Project conducted qualitative interviews with over 20 key informants involved in strengthening Uganda’s human resources information systems (HRIS) at the central level and in two districts.

Preliminary results emphasized the significance of the Health Workforce Advisory Board, established with Capacity Project support, in ensuring local ownership, driving implementation of the Project’s iHRIS software and promoting sustainability. At the four medical councils and central Ministry of Health, iHRIS software reports have increased efficiency and allowed for better aggregation of HR information, verification of registrations, enforcement of policy, uncovering of impersonations and advocacy for HR issues. Recommendations—endorsed by the Board, permanent secretary and minister of health—included better standardization of the health workforce coding structure across departments, planning of regular reports and additional technical and analytical training.

The HRIS strengthening process received strong support from the minister of health, who has lacked the data to address his information needs: “Data is very important. So, you [Capacity Project] have come at the right time.” This work is part of a wider evaluation of the Project’s HRIS activities in Rwanda, Swaziland and Uganda.

February 2009