An assessment of the constraints to citizen participation in the decentralized budget process

Abstract

This study assessed the constraints to citizen participation in the decentralized budget process in Kayunga Town Council with specific objectives of establishing the level of citizen participation in decentralized budget process, assessing the obstacles to citizen participation in decentralized budget process and; assessing how the exclusion of citizens from the process impacts on service delivery. Drawing on how citizen participation in decentralized budget process can be imporved within Kayunga Town Council was also relevant during this research. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were used throughout this research hence enabling the researcher to collect, present and interpret verbal data and; analyze numerical data using frequencies and percentages from fifty-seven respondents (57) respectively. Purposive and simple random techniques were key in identifying specific respondents. The major findings of the study included the failure to see clear outcomes of participation, the need to focus on agriculture rather participation, poor community attitude towards participation, illiteracy and lack of information on the budget process and domination of meetings by views of people in authority. Recommendations were identified to ensure increased citizen participation in decentralised budget process in Kayunga Town Council. Community sensitization and information sharing is key as this instils confidence and ensures participation from man informed point of view. Other recommendations included de-politicizing community development projects, transparency and accountability from town council officials, and increasing funding or town council revenues. This will therefore ensure more participation of citizens in the decentralised budget process in the town council.