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| Decentralization and Social Service Delivery in Uganda a Case Study of Bulopa Sub County, Kamuli District
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Friday Christopher and Kaliisa Everest
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Abstract:
This study was about decentralization and social service delivery in Uganda a case study of Bulopa sub county, Kamuli district. Decentralization varies from country to country and from region to region; the reason for this focus is that most of the social services such as health, education, water and sanitation that are a responsibility of government are systematically failing. The objective of this study was to investigate decentralization and service delivery in Kamuli district. The data was collected from top political leaders, councilors, HR managers and support staff through the use of questionnaires. Data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and interpreted in view of the four specific objectives of the study. The study key findings indicated that there was need for review of laws and policies related to the provision of social welfare services, government commitment and political will to extend social protection to all vulnerable groups. Literature review did not yield empirical evidence of similar researches carried out before. The ministry should ensure that schemes of service are regularly reviewed to avoid employees stagnating in one job grade for many years. Further research on decentralization and social service delivery in Uganda needs to be done to help settle social issues. The absence of supervision generally means also lack of or inadequate assessment. The possibility that the scheme of service might be perceived by some social welfare workers as being deficient was linked with what should be done to improve it if that turned out to be the case. In responding to this question some social welfare workers (13%) indicated that various kinds of in-service training should be provided, while others (8%) mentioned the need for the government to extend more recognition and care for the work of the department of social welfare. Most respondents (61%) did not know or were not sure about what needs to be done, a position which is consistent with the fact that they were not familiar with the scheme of service. Improved standards of living among people in probation and social welfare sector generated a mean value = 2.5210 and stddevn=0 .82746. Decision making by local people over service provisions in probation and social welfare generated a mean value =2.5000 and stddevn= 0.71771. Successful implementation of projects in probation and social welfare sector is seen to have a mean value = 2.5000, and stddevn= 0.82746. It is also noted that clear accountability to the social service beneficiaries in probation and social welfare sector generated a mean value = 2.4500, and stddevn= .88202. There has been a clear monitoring mechanism drafted to aid the implementation of different development programmes with a mean= 2.3200, and stddevn= 0.88202. Overall mean =2.4500 - a low mean implying that despite a clear monitoring mechanism drafted to aid the implementation of different development programmes, its full implementation is still lacking.The study therefore concluded that the demand for social welfare services is primarily a function of population growth and rate of urbanization and that local government authorities need to accommodate this reality especially in their long-term planning. The study recommends that the ministry for local government in collaboration with stake-holders take deliberate measures to disseminate and distribute relevant policy documents and subsequently undertake regular reviews and trainings targeting social welfare workers. Review of laws and policies related to the provision of social welfare services confirms the existence of a solid policy and legislative framework, which demonstrates the government commitment and political will to extend social protection to all vulnerable groups. Up to 69% of the social welfare workers in the areas covered by the assessment have expressed lack of knowledge on various laws and policies related to their work, a situation which most likely exists in other areas as well. While existing national policies and laws are generally supportive of social welfare services in the country, gaps still exist in translating these documents into actions among those entrusted to implement them including social welfare officers. Service delivery is primarily constrained by unqualified social welfare workers in almost all field offices. Many of these offices have hardly two (2) qualified social workers in comparison to the high caseloads they attend to. Field situations show that in some stations, even office messengers/ attendants attend to clients in the absence of social welfare officers. The level of responsibility and accountability among most of the social welfare workers is generally low, something which might undermine staff motivation and morale. Most social welfare workers have expressed the need for further training in providing shelter and other services to vulnerable groups poorly resourced in every respect while staff are frustrated by the poor work environment. Budget limitations is a persistent and chronic problem with the Social Welfare Department, and it makes the work of the concerned social welfare officers very difficult and frustrating for decentralized service delivery of probation and social welfare in Kamuli.SECTION ONE
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