Decentralisation and Service Delivery in Urban Areas of Uganda.

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of decentralisation on service delivery in Masaka Municipality. The objectives of the study were to: find out how local leadership affects service delivery; to establish how land management affects service delivery and; to determine how physical planning affects service delivery in Masaka Municipality. The study adopted a cross sectional research design on a sample size of 127 respondents. Data were collected by use of questionnaires, interviews and analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS 16.0. At univariate level, data was analysed by frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. At bivariate level, data was analysed basing on correlational analysis and at multivariate level data analysis was carried out using regressions. Qualitative data was analysed basing on study themes. The findings revealed that: Local leadership is significant in explaining service delivery outcomes by 24%; Land management is significant in explaining service delivery outcomes by 40.8 % and Physical planning is significant in explaining service delivery by 63.8% The study recommends that: Create strong and respected legal framework which clearly assigns roles and responsibilities to different levels of local governance; invest in building systems of accountability at all levels of local governance; promote and encourage interface with the citizens and act in accordance with their aspirations; build capacities in financial management, human resources, monitoring and supervision; streamline and strengthen systems for raising own local resources to finance local development plans and budgets; Strengthen and improve land administration and management function to conform to the needs and development aspirations of the local people; coordinate and harmonise the activities and operations of Municipal Physical Planning Committee and the District Land Board; amend the law on land to cater for creation of Municipal Land Boards in the interest of ensuring orderly developments in urban centers; and Invest heavily in physical planning; change mindset for both leaders and citizens towards planning. Strengthen institutions that enforce urban rules and codes. Develop a comprehensive strategy that foster public participation in physical planning.