Participatory Budgeting and service delivery in local governments in Uganda: a case of Agago local government.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study focused on establishing the relationship between participatory budgeting and service delivery of water, education and health in Agago District, Northern Uganda. The study sought to establish the relationship between budget formulation, budget implementation, budget monitoring and service delivery in Agago District. The study employed a cross sectional survey research design and both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A total of 150 respondents participated who comprised of Local citizens of Agago, LCI Committee members, Parish committee members, Sub-county staff, District council members, Members from Civil Society, A Chief administrative officer and the District chairperson. Primary and secondary sources of data were used and data were collected using interviews and questionnaire. The Pearson correlation Coefficient and Regression Analysis were used to analyze the collected data. The study findings revealed that there is a positive relationship between Participatory budget formulation, budget implementation and budget monitoring and service delivery in Agago District. It was concluded that, Participatory budget formulation, budget implementation and budget monitoring affects service delivery. The study recommended proactive participation of citizens to understand their expectations and incorporate them in plans. This proactive participation ensure engagement of citizens who are interested in budget formulation, implementation and monitoring, and assure transparency by the government in the execution of the district’s financial activities while holding regular community consultations through the budget formulation ,implementation and monitoring proce