Title: Decentralisation And Social Service Delivery In Uganda: A Systematic Review Of Evidence And Implications For Policy
Authors: Friday Christopher
Kanyesigye Shallon
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Pages: 35-44
Publication Date: 2026/02/28
Abstract:
Background: The decentralization policy in Uganda, as stipulated in the Local Government Act of 1997, is one of the most ambitious decentralization policies in the African continent. It is now three decades since the implementation of the policy, yet the nexus between decentralization and the outcomes of social service delivery in Uganda remains understudied and not well synthesized. Objective: This article aims to review the empirical literature on the impact of the decentralization policy in Uganda on social service delivery, including education, health, water, and agricultural extension services. Methodology: A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature, policy documents, and institutional reports was conducted from 1997 to 2025. The review was done using a narrative synthesis approach. Findings: The findings show that the outcomes in the different service delivery areas have been mixed. In the area of primary education, the enrollment rates have picked up dramatically under the decentralization-based Universal Primary Education initiative. However, the quality of education is still stagnant. In the health sector, the improvements have been limited. In fact, the mortality rates for mothers and children have stagnated or worsened in many districts. In the water sector, the accessibility of services has picked up but with huge differences from one district to another. In the agricultural sector, the extension services have remained unavailable except in the areas controlled by NGOs.Cross-cutting issues: Inability to raise sufficient local resources, the lack of conditionality in central government support, the failure to recruit qualified staff, corruption and patronage, and the elite capture of the decentralized initiative have been some of the key challenges. In addition, the vulnerable groups, such as women and the poor, face systemic barriers to participating in the decentralized decision-making process. Conclusion: Decentralization efforts in Uganda have not been fully linked with improved service delivery. The effectiveness of decentralization policy is influenced by institutional, fiscal, and governance factors. Decentralization interventions need to address the gap between assigned duties and available resources, as well as the protection of vulnerable groups' participation in governance.