Local Government employees' digital literacy and implementation of e-governance initiatives in Uganda: a case study of Iganga municipality

Abstract

This study focused on investigating whether the current state of Local Government employees ' digital literacy enables the implementation of E-governance initiatives in Uganda using a case study of Iganga Municipality. The study was guided by the following objectives; to examine if a relationship exists between Employees' problem solving electronic-skills and the state of implementation of E-governance initiatives in Iganga Municipality, to assess the contribution of Employees' information-communication electronic-skills towards the implementation of E-governance initiatives in Iganga Municipality and finally to examine if a relationship exists between Employees· software electronic-skills and the implementation of E-governance initiatives among the employees in iganga municipality. The study was based on a case study research design due to its ability to narrow down a very broad field of research into one or a few easily re searchable examples. The study found out that Iganga municipality had no personnel specifically employed for purposes of ensuring that ICTs used in the offices are maintained and repaired in case of any breakdown impacts negatively onto the implementation of E-governance initiatives in the Municipality. It \\·as also raveled that problem solving electronic skills and infonnation-comrnunicatilll1 electronic skills arc key in the implementation of E-governance initiatives in Uganda. The following recommendations where made; There is need for the central government to support local government financially in order to enable them establish office of the· head of ICT as this would help them to continuously initiate trainings for local government employee's in different electronic skills for example problem solving skills, infom1ation-communication skills and others. Local government employees· should be trained in infom1ation- communication electronic skills as these will enable them implement the e-governance initiatives with minimal huddles since the basics required would have been attained and lastly, initiatives to provide refresher courses, training and retraining of local government employees in software electronic skills should be supported by the municipal administrators as this will help employees develop competences in ICTs which would help local government implement e-governance initiatives and ensure better service delivery to the citizens.