The Impact Of Administrative Conflicts On Service Delivery In Local Governments In Uganda: The Ca.se Of Mayuge District

ABSTRACT

This study investigated "The impact of ad111i11istrative co11jlicts on service delivery in local

govern111e11ts i11 Uga11da: the case of Mayuge district." Because of this, there was need to

establish whether administrative conflicts in local governments were caused by the gaps and

violation of the legal framework in a decentralized environment and how it impacts on employee

perfonnance and service delivery.

The study particularly sought to establish causes; examine the impact of conflict on employee

performance, assess the impact of conflict on resource mobilization and utilization and to explore

the impact of conflict on service delivery in Mayuge district local government. The study

adopted a case study design using cluster sampling of Elected District officials (4); Appointed

district officials (42), District Councillors (32) and other staff (17). Data was collected using

questionnaires, interviews and document studies and prepared through checking, editing,

organizing and coding. Then data was coded in tabular form from the quantitative data from

questionnaires.

The findings revealed a significant relationship between the causes of administrative conflict

and its impact on employee performance. The study further revealed that there was significant

influence of conflict on resource mobilization and utilization and service delivery in Mayuge

district local government. Finally, the study established that the local government framework

in a decentralized setting and multi party setting called for a dual personnel system which was

vulnerable to conflict.

The study thus concluded that the legal framework is a vital determinant and mitigation of

conflict which eventually affects employee performance and service delivery in Local

Governments. Basing on the above conclusions and study recommendations, the researcher

feels that the findings of this study may be resourceful to scholars; administrators, legislative

and policy makers.

x I The Impact of Administrative Conflicts on Service Delivery in Mayuge District Local Government• Uganda

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Declaration ...................................................................................................... i

Approval. ......................................................................................................................................... ii

Dedication ........................................................................................................... .iii

Acknowledgement. ........................................................................................................................ .iv

Abstract ......................................................................................................... x

Chapter one: Introduction ............................................................................................ 1

1.1. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1

1.2. Background to the Study ........................................................................................ 1

1.2.1. Historical Background to the Study ........................................................................ 1

1.2.2. Theoretical Background to the Study .................................................................... .3

1.2.3 Conceptual Background to the Study ................................................................... .4

1.3 Statement of the Problem to the Study ................................................................................ 7

1.3. Objectives of the Study ...................................................................................... 7

1.4. Specific Objectives to the Study .......................................................................................... 8

1.5. Research Questions ............................................................................................ 8

1.6. Hypotheses of the study ...................................................................................... 8

1.7. Significance of the Study ..................................................................................... 9

1.8. Justification of the Study ......................................................................................... 9

1.9. Scope of the Study ............................................................................................ 10

1. I 0. Definitions of Key Terms and Concepts .................................................................. 1 I

v I The Impact of Administrative Conflicts on Service Delivery in Mayuge District Local GovernmentUganda

Chapter Two: Literature Review ............................................................................................... 13

2.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 13

2.2. Definition of Local Government Conflicts ............................................................................. 13

2.3. Nature and Causes of Local government Conflicts ................................................................ 13

2.4 The Local Governments Legal Framework ............................................................................. 14

2.4.1 The 1995 Constitution ofUganda ......................................................................................... 17

2.4.2 The Local Governments ACT, CAP 243 ............................................................................. .18

2.4.2.1 Features of the Local Governments ACT, CAP 243 ......................................................... 18

2.4.2.2 Set up, Functions and Powers ............................................................................................ 18

2.5 Promotion of Transparency in Local Governments ................................................................. 24

2.6 Inspection. Monitoring and Co-ordination in Local Governments ......................................... .25

2.7 Political Accountability in Local Govemments ...................................................................... .25

2.8 Personnel Functions in Local Governments ............................................................................ 26

2.8.1 Roles and Functions of Councillors ...................................................................................... 27

2.8.2 Functions of the Chief Administration Officer (CAO) ........................................................ 27

2.8.3 Functions of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) .................................................... 28

2.8.4 Roles and Functions of the District Chairperson (LC V) ..................................................... 29

2.9 Roles and Functions of Administrative Units .......................................................................... 30

2.9.1 The District Executive Committee ......................................................................................... 30

2.9.2 Appointment and Functions of Vice Chairperson and Secretaries of DEC. ........................ .31

2.10 The District Public Service in Local Govemments .............................................................. .31

2.11 Roles and Functions of the Clerk to Council... ..................................................................... .34

vi I The Impact of Administrative Conflicts on Service Delivery in Mayuge District Local Government