To create a worldwide revolution in public service, that community feedback becomes central to how governments improve their services
SEMA’s Big Hairy Audacious Goal: By 2030, all service providers in East Africa will use community feedback to improve their service experiences
Our work directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 16.6, which promotes the development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. By measuring community satisfaction with public services and providing evidence-based recommendations, we help governments track and improve institutional performance in line with global development goals.
Citizens need to feel their voice is heard.
Making community members' opinions valuable and actionable is what we do. We close the feedback loop between institutions and the communities they serve by providing communities with safe, accessible, and free platforms to anonymously share their experiences with institutions in real time. Through our civic technology tools and community engagement methods, we listen to communities as users of various institutions and translate their needs into recommendations for improved service delivery. Through monthly data reports, institutional leaders can follow up on their performance and know what needs to be improved, enabling evidence-based decision-making and responsive service improvements grounded in real user experiences. Through advocacy and capacity building, we help communities understand their rights, their institutions, and how to advocate for better services, turning passive recipients of services into active, knowledgeable participants. Creating a society where every institution is transparent, responsive, and accountable to the people it serves, and where every community member has the knowledge, tools, and voice to demand better services.
Governments lack the data to make their services more user-friendly.
The Government of Uganda serves an estimated 45.9 million people with a 72.4 trillion shilling (approx USD 20 billion) budget. If this money were to be divided amongst the population, each would receive only UGX 1,577,0000 (USD 454) for the year, a pittance when compared to the health, transport and educational needs of the nation. The population depends on the government to deliver high-quality services every day, on a very tight budget. This calls for ingenious methods to maximise the satisfaction of the population, and one of the ways of improving community satisfaction at lower cost is to know what the population wants, and how they want it.
Our Principles
A citizen-focused approach.
Advocating for evidence-based action.
Data protection and anonymity.
Emphasizing local change.
Our Values
01
Integrity
We maintain a neutral position between communities and institutions.
02
Dialogue
We create opportunities for communities and institutions to listen, learn, and work together toward responsive and better service delivery in an impartial way.
03
Excellence
We strive for the highest standards, ensuring that every community voice is accurately represented and translated into meaningful action.
SEMA currently operates in partnership with the Government of Uganda at various public institutions, including police stations, health centres and municipalities. SEMA is established as a not-for-profit enterprise called Stichting SEMA in The Netherlands, with ANBI status. (CCI number 70988420, and RSIN 858536341). SEMA is also registered as a company limited by guarantee in Uganda (URSB number: 80020001491970). Find SEMA’s ANBI Stichting Statement here. For more up to date information, read our recent news, follow us on Facebook or Twitter or sign up for our newsletter here.
