The role of community participation in the management of public rural water facilities in a decentralized framework: case study public rural water facilities in Kirowooza sub-county, Masaka district

Abstract

This study examined the role of community participation in the management of public rural water facilities in a decentralized framework. The study was conducted in Kirowooza sub-county Masaka district. The study had three specific objectives: to assess whether partnerships between the community and other stakeholders have led to improved water service delivery in rural areas at the lower level, to find out whether planning and collective decision making improves the ownership and control of the public rural water facilities at the lower level, to examine the role of collective action in the sustainability of the public rural water facilities at the lower level. A case study design and a qualitative approach were used in this research. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and interviews. Data were analyzed thematically following the objectives of the study and themes that emerged from the data. From the findings, the researcher found out that partnerships have led to improved water service delivery, planning and collective decision making help in the ownership and control of the water facilities though people at the lower level are not included in the decision making process plus collective action being a great aspect in the sustainability of the public rural water facilities as this was revealed by majority of the respondents. As it was noted in the findings, people are not included in the decision making process which doesn’t give them room to express what they feel of which the powers were transferred from the central government to the lower level. Therefore the study recommends that all people should be included in making decisions about the management of the public rural water facilities. More to this, there was only one person in charge of repairing the water facilities, the study recommends that there is a need to recruit more persons who are in charge of repairing the water facilities in case of any damage because they only had one person in charge so in case he is not around, there should be other people to take on the job