Effect of participatory budgeting on service delivery in District Local Governments in Uganda

Abstract

The research was carried out to study the effect of Participatory Budgeting on service delivery in local governments with BDLG as the case study. The major objective of the study was to find out the effect of Participatory budgeting on service delivery in BDLG. The study was also guided by the following specific objectives: to find out the effect of direct citizen participation in the budget process on service delivery in Bulambuli district, to study the effect of representative citizen participation in the budget process on service delivery in Bulambuli district , to examine the effect of mixed participation in the budget process on service delivery Bulambuli district. The study adopted a case study research design to collect data from a population of 92 respondents out of which 75 were sampled; both simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. The researcher administered a survey questionnaire to each member of the target population since it was the most appropriate tool to gather information. Quantitative analysis and regression analysis were used as data analysis techniques. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and frequency distribution were used in the analysis of data. Data presentation was done by use of tables for easy understanding and interpretation. The findings of the study shows that majority of respondents agreed direct citizen participation improves service delivery , however majority of them, 81.3% disagreed and strongly disagreed on whether they are given chance to participate directly in the budget processs, Majority of the respondents also agreed that representative citizen participation in the budget process affects service delivery, however 54.7% of the respondents strongly disagreed and disagreed on whether key stake holders are invited to participate at all stages of the budget process. The findings of the study reveal that all citizens are not invited to partiipate in the budget process Bulambuli district , this is so because over 76% of the respondents disagreed and strongly disagreed when asked on this matter.The field findings indicate that the adjusted R square (co-efficient of determination) was 0.247 signifying that there was variation of 24.7% on servicce delivery in BDLG, due to changes in Participatory Budgeting. In summary , Direct citizen participation through consulting the locals on the most pressing needs/ vital services, giving citizens chance to implement and small projects can help improve service delivery. Representative Citizen Participation affects service delivery, this can be either negatively or postively,Through mixed participation, local governments are able to plan for the type, level, and quality of service delivery together with the users of those services. The study made the following recommendations basing on the research findings; Bulambuli district should embrace direct citizen participation especailly in implementation and monitoring of small projects, priority should also given to the most pressing and vital needs as suggested by the local people if they are to improve service delivery in the district. In case of representative participation, all key stake holders should be invited and the process of selection should be done objectivity in order to avoid bias. In case of mixed participation, all citizens both ordinary and representatives of various organisations should be invited to participate in the budget process, however it is also important to assess the costs and benefits associated with all citizens participating in the budget process , because this calls for more funds