- Email: info@datacities.org
ABOUT: DataCities is a collaborative initiative between Sunbird AI, UN Global Pulse, and ToroDev,
aiming to empower newly established cities in Uganda to make informed decisions and formulate
effective development policies for a sustainable and adaptive urban future. We are doing this
by teaming up with city authorities to equip them with essential tools for utilizing data in
informed decision-making fostering resilience against economic shifts, population fluctuations,
and the impacts of climate change, among other things. Our first strategic partnerships are with
the city leaders in Fort Portal and Jinja.
THE WHY: The DataCities initiative aims to empower newly established cities in Uganda. It equips them with
the tools to utilize data for informed decision-making, ultimately transforming them into resilient
cities capable of adapting to changes like economic shifts, population fluctuations, resource consumption,
infrastructural adjustments, and climate change.
THE BACKGROUND: The government of Uganda, as of 2023 operationalized 10 new cities from existing towns.
These come with opportunities, but they also pose a challenge to infrastructure and services. Part of
this challenge is a limited culture of utilizing data and evidence in decision-making, hindering its
full potential.
Uganda needs more effective systems to collect useful data, make it easily accessible, and create an
enabling environment for its use.
THE INITIATIVE: To help these new cities, three organizations (Sunbird AI, UN Global Pulse, and ToroDev)
are teaming up with city leaders in Fort Portal and Jinja. Together, they will begin with assessing the
existing data landscape in these cities and subsequently set up systems to collect and use data so that
these cities can make better decisions and city development policies.
THE WHAT: DataCities focus areas:
Data collection and analysis.
collect data on various topics, such as population, economic activity, infrastructure,
and the environment. Analyze it to identify trends and patterns that can be used to inform
decision-making
Capacity building.
provide training and support to city officials and other stakeholders on using data and evidence to make decisions.
Institutional strengthening for data appreciation and use.
support the development of institutional mechanisms for collecting, analyzing, and using data to support decision-making and build trust among stakeholders.
Development of data and AI use cases.
develop pilot projects in different cities to improve appreciation of data artifacts while demonstrating the potential of such technology for improving decision-making.
About Jinja City
Jinja city, also known as the Busoga sub-region, is located in the eastern region of Uganda and sits along the northern shores of Lake Victoria near the source of the Nile. Since it has the second-largest economy in Uganda after Kampala, factories choose Jinja as their base because of the …
Read more.....About FortPortal City
Fort Portal City, situated in western Uganda, is renowned for its beautiful landscape and strategic importance as a key tourism destination. Nestled at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the "Mountains of the Moon," Fort Portal offers breathtaking views and serves as a gateway to several national …
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