Community Participation and Service Delivery in Local Goverments

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between community participation and service delivery in Rukungiri Municipality, Uganda. Guided by a general objective to explore how community engagement influences local government service provision, the study pursued three specific objectives: (1) to examine the ways through which communities participate in local governance; (2) to assess the level of service delivery in the municipality; and (3) to establish the relationship between community participation and service delivery. A case study research design was employed, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews from a stratified sample of 352 respondents, including municipal officials and community members. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS (version 28), employing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analysis, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed through coding. Findings revealed that the level of community participation in leadership, service delivery, and resource contribution was generally moderate. Service delivery, while fair in some areas such as infrastructure and education, was rated below average in responsiveness and public communication. A significant positive relationship (r = 0.644, p < 0.05) was found between community participation and service delivery, with community participation accounting for 41.4% of the variance in service delivery outcomes. The study concludes that enhanced community engagement can significantly improve service delivery but must be supported by favorable policies and resources. The study recommends strategies to deepen community involvement in decision-making and improve communication channels to boost responsiveness and public trust in local governance.