An Assessment of the Monitoring and Evaluation System For the Refugee Settlement Programme in Uganda

Abstract

Refugee Settlement Programme in Uganda is essential for providing shelter, food, and other basic needs to refugees. Monitoring and evaluation system is critical for ensuring that the programme is effective and efficient. This research project aims to assess whether the monitoring and evaluation system meets international standards, the need to strengthen the programme and possible challenges. Monitoring and evaluation system is essential for tracking the progress of refugee settlement programme. It helps identify areas that need improvement and ensure that resources are being used effectively. Without proper monitoring and evaluation system, it is difficult to determine the impact of refugee settlement programmes. The study relied on the UNAIDS (2008) framework and examined each of the components of the M&E system. This study used mixed-method research to determine whether Uganda’s Refugee Settlement Programme monitoring & evaluation system is strong. The researcher employed a cross-sectional design for quantitative and qualitative data collection. The study population involved project worker including 32 representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and organizations from Uganda, 16 UNHCR, 11 IOM, 14 RP, and 05 LWF-Uganda. Using a stratified random sampling technique. The survey questions and interviews were the main source of data, which were further analysed using qualitative and quantitative technique. The results of this study indicate that Uganda's Refugee Settlement Programme M&E system demonstrates considerable strength. Across all 12 components, an average score of 4 was attained, signifying a high degree of adherence to the established standards. Notably, none of the 12 components fell below the standard, with one component meeting it to a significant extent, while xi the remaining 11 components fully met the standard. These findings suggest that the M&E system within Uganda's refugee settlement programme encompasses many of the necessary elements, confirming the presence of critical variables. The current monitoring and evaluation system has several strengths, including its comprehensive analysis framework and the representative findings at the settlement level. However, it also has some weaknesses, such as the lack of enough staff collect and analyse data, lack of curriculum for monitoring and evaluation training, lack of focus and poor attitudes from some few staff. To improve the current monitoring and evaluation system, this study recommends the needs of M&E personnel are met. The study’s findings demonstrate that the existing M&E personnel are encountering a heavy workload due to the high number of refugees arriving in Uganda from neighbouring countries. Therefore, hiring more M&E personnel can help minimize such workload and help improve the effectiveness of the refugee settlement M&E system