Uganda Welcomes New Members to Twende Mbele as African Peer Learning in Monitoring and Evaluation Grows

UGANDA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS TO TWENDE MBELE AS AFRICAN PEER LEARNING IN MONITORING AND EVALUATION GROWS

Uganda warmly welcomes the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, the Republic of Malawi, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the United Republic of Tanzania to the Twende Mbele partnership. Their addition marks an important and timely expansion of an African-led platform that has become a reference for how governments can enhance evidence use and improve public service delivery through practical monitoring and evaluation.

Twende Mbele, which means “Let’s Go Forward,” emphasizes a simple but powerful principle: African governments learn directly from one another, not just through theory but through tested tools, effective systems, and honest reflection on what it takes to institutionalize monitoring and evaluation in the public sector. As the partnership grows, so does the diversity of experience and the potential for deeper learning across regions and administrative traditions.

Uganda’s commitment, anchored in the Office of the Prime Minister

Uganda’s commitment to monitoring and evaluation comes from the Office of the Prime Minister. The Monitoring and Evaluation Department has taken the lead in coordinating national monitoring and evaluation efforts. Uganda was one of the early members of Twende Mbele and has continually contributed to shaping the partnership’s peer-learning agenda through shared practices, joint efforts, and active participation in exchanges with other countries.

Over the years, Uganda’s experience has served as a model among Twende Mbele countries, especially in discussions about coordinating government performance, linking monitoring to planning and accountability, and strengthening the use of evidence in decision-making. This approach is not just theoretical; it addresses the everyday need to keep government programs responsive, results-focused, and connected to national priorities.

A stronger partnership, and a stronger African M&E voice

The decision to expand Twende Mbele’s membership reflects both the demand and readiness across the continent. Uganda agrees with the Chairperson of the Twende Mbele Management Committee, Mr. Stephen Ampem-Darko, that welcoming new members is not just about increasing numbers but about enhancing the quality, relevance, and impact of shared work. Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Nigeria, and Tanzania bring valuable perspectives from varied governance contexts and monitoring and evaluation traditions. Their inclusion strengthens the partnership’s capacity to create practical solutions that can cross borders.

For Uganda, this growth is particularly significant for three reasons;

First, it enhances outcomes from peer learning. With more countries involved, Twende Mbele exchanges can better reflect the range of public sector realities across the continent, leading to approaches that are both credible and flexible.

Second, it speeds up capacity development. The partnership expands as a channel for sharing frameworks, tools, and lessons that help governments transition from having monitoring and evaluation policies to implementing effective monitoring and evaluation systems.

Third, it boosts Africa’s presence in the global evaluation space. As more African governments adopt good practices and speak together with a unified voice, international discussions about evaluation become more balanced and rooted in African public sector experiences.

Moving forward together

Looking ahead, Uganda is eager to collaborate with the new member countries through structured peer-to-peer learning, technical exchanges, and joint reflection on how to strengthen the foundations for monitoring and evaluation. As more governments commit to regularly using evidence in planning, budgeting, implementation, and performance management, citizens stand to benefit the most through improved services and greater accountability.

To our colleagues in Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Nigeria, and Tanzania, Uganda extends a warm welcome to Twende Mbele. We look forward to learning with you and from you as we work together to create a continent where evidence drives action and results.

Together, we move forward.