Citizens’ Engagement in Local Government Decision Making Processes: Policy Brief 008 Towards public finance accountability, transparency, and improved service delivery in Uganda

In 1995, Uganda institutionalized decentralization and subsequently, the 1997 Local Government Act (Cap. 243) was enacted. The main objective of decentralization was to restore democracy and return the participation and decision-making power to the people thereby contributing to development through timely service delivery. Decentralization was expected to improve peoples’ access to and involvement in decision-making processes in order to assess service delivery issues in areas of health, education, water and sanitation among others; assist in the development of citizen’s capacities; and enhance government’s responsiveness, transparency and accountability for improved public service delivery.