Administrative Accountability and Performance in The Public Sector: A Case Study of Kampala Capital City Authority (Kcca)

ABSTRACT The study established Administrative Accountability and performance in the public sector: a case study of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). The study was guided by the following objectives, to examine the internal control s put in place to enhance performance, to analyze the reporting mechanisms for performance of KCCA to establish the challenges faced in promoting administrative accountability in the delivery of services. The study was carried out in Kampala. This study employed both explanatory and descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The sample consisted of 56 respondents from KCCA population of 296 people depending on their role, departments and positions. The sample size was determined using Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table. The study found out that 53.6% of the respondents agreed that there are internal controls put in place to enhance performance in KCCA 16.6% of the respondents were not sure that there are internal controls put in place to enhance performance in KCCA26.8% of the respondents (12.5 + 14.3) disagreed that there are internal controls put in place to enhance performance in KCCA The reporting mechanism for performance in KCCA were rated at different levels. Out of the categories, two were rated very high with, (equivalent to strongly agree) meaning that respondents strongly agreed with the statement. The study concluded that there was poor adherence to proper physical planning and development control and service standards; poor mobilization; consultation; mobilization and sustainability; poor decisions making;; weak laws are among things that affect effective and efficiency performance of accountability in Kampala Capital City Authority . Some key challenges that face these legal instruments range from policy, economic and political gaps and challenges among others including; unrealistic penalties, vague powers to health workers and the Act is outdated, lacks a participatory approach and the problem being only the lack of law. The KCC Ordinance, 2000 has gaps including; policy gaps include many avenues on tax and revenue collection, poor law enforcement of laws, weak penalties, and lack of a deliberate policy, politics. Local Government Act does not directly tackle or empower the private stakeholders on the issue of administrative accountability and service delivery among others. The study recommended that there is need for the internal auditors to continuously update themselves with the changing times and technologies and sharpen their skills. By applying skills to the most critical points, building personal and professional credibility and recognising and responding to the needs, internal auditors can become indispensable thus speeding good governance and enhancing efficiency of internal control. The management of KCCA should keep organizing seminars and workshops whereby these internal control auditors would be trained frequently by experts either internally or externally. Internal Auditors must have sufficient proficiency and training to carry out the tasks assigned to them. The auditors work must be carefully directed, supervised and reviewed. The amount of supervision required corresponds to the experience and skill of the auditor.