Page 6 - Expanding Social Protection (ESP) Programme - Newsletter

SOCIAL REGISTRIES

Understanding how Social Registries

Promote Social Inclusion

James Ebitu, Director, Social
Protection

lobally, social Biometrics facilitate verification of Identity of social protection beneficiaries.
registries are
perceived as a the development of the National Mauritius, etc.), the implementation
backbone of Social Registry, captured as one of of social protection programmes
G social protection the five-year NDPIV (2025-2030) and delivery of emergency
systems. They are dynamic and aspirations. response is prompt and effective.
regularly updated to reflect The shocks experienced The establishment of a vibrant
changes in a population pattern. in various regions across the social registry aids coordination
In circumstances where household country ought to find effective and delivery of a range of social
incomes, composition, or socio- systems in place, to facilitate easy protection interventions. In
economic status change, a identification and determination that regard, Government, plans
social registry should reflect of the assistance required to to establish a national Social
such changes, which overtime, cushion vulnerable persons against Registry to enhance efficiency and
promotes accuracy, reliability and extreme poverty. facilitate enrolment of individuals
relevance of data. In countries where social or households, eligible for social
The World Bank defines a social registries are already established assistance. Moreover, social
registry as a harmonized and (such as Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, registries are useful in monitoring
integrated database of potential the performance and impacts of
social programmes’ beneficiaries to programmes, which enhances
support registration and eligibility efficiency and accountability.
determination. Overall, a social registry will
One of the key challenges in The establishment of a strengthen the social protection
social protection programming is vibrant social registry aids system as well as promote
timely identification of potential targeting, coordination inclusion. It will ensure harmonised
beneficiaries and more so, social protection programming
during shocks. Drawing from and delivery of a range to allow government and non-
international experiences and of social protection government programmes to target
lessons learned during COVID 19 interventions that are and enrol vulnerable persons for
pandemic, Uganda is prioritizing shock-responsive. support.

06 ESP PROGRAMME NEWSLETTER / MARCH - JUNE 2025