| Decentralization is widely viewed as a means of making governments more responsive to the poor through public service delivery that enhances rural development and poverty alleviation. Decentralization involves a variety of mechanisms to transfer fiscal, administrative and political authority for service delivery from central ministries to lower local governments and/or alternate institutions. It has been promoted as essential in achieving sustainable economic and social development.;However, the performance of decentralization has had mixed results across the developing countries of Latin America, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. On the one hand, some particularly poorly designed and implemented decentralization programs have led to deterioration in service delivery. On the other, there are success stories in the design, implementation and performance of decentralization programs.;Against this background, this study reviews the experience of Uganda's highly ambitious decentralization program, in which legislation led government to devolve powers to districts and lower levels and promote democratization of the decision-making processes. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
