Factors affecting performance rating of the local government

Abstract

Assessment of performance is crucial and important for every organization including the government of Uganda. However, the extent to which performance is rated as regards to financial accountability, service delivery & buying transparency in local planning and in holding local politicians to account has been inconsistent. The major aim of this study was to analyze the factors that affect performance rating of Local government. Taking the local government of Namutumba as a case study, the researcher considered the independent variables to be service delivery, transparency, and financial accountability.

In this study, primary data was used using questionnaires that were used to obtain people's views. These were pretested in Kampala and later administered in Namutumba. Stratified sampling was the design that was used with proportional allocation techniques that helped in obtaining the different samples from the parishes of Namutumba Municipal.

The study found the rating of the performance of Local government in Namutumba was good. However, findings showed that corruption in form of bribes has continued to be a challenge in Uganda. Only 10% of the respondents admitted not to have offered bribes or paid for services which were meant to be free. However, Government was perceived to be taking steps to fight corruption. There was also low level of awareness of the existence of anti-corruption bodies among the population. The findings also indicated that the public needs to be sensitized on these efforts by Government in the fight against corruption.

The study recommended that, to improve service delivery, transparency as well as financial accountability, there is need to involve community members in matters of service delivery at their level. This will help the community to know about the services being provided in their areas and take interest in monitoring and evaluation of various government programs in their areas.