AN ASSESSMENT OF PARTICIPATORY PLANNING AND ITS PERCIEVED EFFECTS ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: A CASE STUDY OF BUGIRI DISTRICT, UGANDA

Abstract

The study sought to assess the effect of participatory planning on service delivery in Bigiri District, basing on three objectives; that is, the need to find out how negotiation affects the quality of service delivery, whether decision-making influences the quality of service delivery and the influence of community empowerment on the quality of service delivery in Bugiri District. The study was carried out in Bugiri District and using cross-sectional survey design. Respondents included District Planning Unit staff, Sub-County Chiefs, LC I and II Chairpersons, Parish Development committees, Community Development workers and Parish Chiefs. A sample of 137 respondents was selected using both purposive and systematic sampling techniques. Self administered questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data. The data was subjected to descriptive analysis using frequency tables, percentage computations, cross tabulation, mean and standard deviation. Inferential analysis included use of bar graphs and Pearson correlation coefficient. It was established that negotiation affects service delivery; the decision making process and community empowerment have significant relationships with the quality of service delivery. The study concludes that there is inadequate skills development in negotiation, and decision making. In addition, there is no formalized structural mode of empowering communities to participate in making decisions that affect their lives. It was recommended that local governments use participatory planning methods using Participatory Rural Appraisal and Rapid Rural Appraisal tools, develop skills to enable communities participate in negotiate freely and empower communities economically, socially, and politically to participate in the decision making process through allocation of more resources to planning and decision making, let alone capturing interests of all stakeholders Since participation in local government is by representation.