Political decentralization policy and social service delivery in jinja district. a case study of Buyenge Sub-County
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Date
2018-05
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Humanities and social sciences.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine whether Political Decentralization Policy
has an impact on the Social Service Delivery in Buyenge Sub-County. It
specifically examined the impact of Political Decentralization on Social Service
Delivery, challenges caused by Political Decentralization during the delivery of
Social Services and established the relationship between Political Decentralization
and Social Service Delivery. The sample size was achieved through use of Krejcie,
R.V. & Morgan and D.W. (1970) table which illustrated that if the target population
is 100, the sample size was 80. However, selection of the subjects strictly was done
randomly. Majority of the participants were aged 3 1-40 years since they scored the
highest percentage of 31.25%, followed by those aged 18-30 years since they scored
27.5%, yet those aged 4 1-56 years scored 25% and 57 years and above scored 13%.
This meant that majority participants were aged 18-40 years hence they were legally
bound to serve in local governments. From the study results on research question
two, it can be concluded that challenges to Decentralization Policy in Jinja district
are limited local taxing powers, weak supervision of local governments and weak
institutional capacity. Hence decentralization seems to be working alongside
challenges just like any other development sector. Decision-making processes are
unsystematic, mechanisms of accountability between officials and elected
representatives are inadequate and there is a shortage of officials with the necessary
technical, managerial and financial skills. This is often due to the lack of financial
resources to attract and retain high caliber staff. Salary levels for local government
staff in Africa are often a fraction of what people could earn in the private sector.
Regardless of Decentralization and Social Service Delivery being two sides of the
same coin, more gaps still persist hence the study recommends local participation in
all government related activities to lead to development. To achieve this, countries
should adopt and imp1~ement coherent ihvestment policy, which is another important
argument for maintaining a certain degree of centralization of taxation in the
national territory, as the resources to finance capital investments are limited and can
produce maximum efficiency only under a financial control and strictly economic,
which may be exercised only at the central level.
Description
A research dissertation submitted to the college of humanities and social sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Bachelor’s Degree of Public Administration of Kampala International University
Keywords
Political decentralization, Policy, Social service delivery, Buyenge Sub-County