The Makerere University School of Public Health – Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) program conducted two sessions of 3-day trainings in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) for the staff in the College of Health Sciences (CHS). The training targeted a total of 84 staff (2 representatives from each department and the head of department).
The main objective of the training was to orient CHS staff on M&E and generate a conversation on how best the College can track routine performance as well as their Strategic Plan. Emphasis was placed on the need to discuss and agree on key performance indicators that would start the process of developing a functional M&E system. M&E is now more of result based approaches instead of the traditional implementation based approaches. It therefore focuses on who is responsible for what and what have they been able to achieve. The interventions engaged by the leadership should therefore be shaped by the need for positive change.
Mr. Ibrahim Lutalo making his presentation to the staff
Mrs. Charity Kyomugisha-Nuwagaba, the Deputy Program Manager at METS noted that it was important to account, advocate, generate knowledge, scale up and answer critics regarding what was done in the college. “Monitoring is routine tracking of key elements of the program and its intended outcomes and it involves tracking and measuring inputs against outputs using the available records/data,” she added.
“A functional M&E system is vital because it provides a continuous flow of information that is useful to growth.” Mrs. Charity Kyomugisha-Nuwagaba
The participants were trained on how to design an M&E system and key consideration to have in mind while at it; who takes up responsibility to ensure it is working and components of a functional system.
Professor Bazeyo, Dean School of Public Health and Principal Investigator METS Program, expressed gratitude that staff in the college were finally beneficiaries of a good innovation. He applauded Professor Sewamkambo for his foresightedness and spirit in fighting for the good of the college. This he said that it was such resilience that lay foundation for the good Strategic Plan the college had in place. He then challenged staff to enforce it and bring the plans to reality.
The Principal CHS pointed out that the college was operating in an era of competition and therefore there was need to train quality medical students that can be able to compete not only on the regional level but on the international level as well. To do this, he encouraged the participants to come up with collective mechanisms for success because CHS needed to be champions in closing the gaps in modern education and not just settle for average. He noted that albeit the financial and human resource constraints, all eyes were to remain on the plan towards development
The training was graced by a variety of staff from CHS, these included the College Principal, Professor Charles Ibingira, Deputy Principal Dr. Isaac Okullo, former Principal Professor Nelson Sewankambo, Deans: Dr. Moses Kamya, Dr. Rose Nabirye & Professor William Bazeyo, Heads of Departments: Dr. Moses Galukande, Pakoyo Kamba, Ponsiano Ocama & Dr. Ezekiel Mupere, College Registrar Gladys Khamili and Human Resource Manager Julius Lebo among others.
