Accountability: A Necessity to Pro-Poor Service Delivery in Municipal Councils in Uganda

David Mwesigwa (Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Management Sciences, Lira University, Northern Uganda)
Ibrahim Abiodun Oladapo (Department of Economics, College of Business Administration, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2021): January

Purpose: This study examines the role of political accountability in improving pro-poor service delivery amid the growing challenges faced by Local Governments in Uganda. Research methodology: Using five Focus group discussions, perspectives on accountability are debated as a foundation for improving service delivery. Results: The findings revealed that accountability in Ugandan municipalities is influenced by performance standards, answerability, and sanctions or rewards. Conclusions: This study concludes that effective and inclusive accountability involving multi-stakeholder participation, community engagement, and strong institutional commitment is essential for improving pro-poor service delivery in Ugandan Municipalities. Limitations: The study covers only Uganda and may not easily be generalised to other countries. Contributions: The study contributes to knowledge so that hands-on accountability holds potential and requires more consideration as a means to assimilate learning-based methods and role-players network to back up the delivery of pro-poor services. Novelty: The novelty of this study lies in its emphasis on both formal and informal accountability mechanisms as integrated.