DECENTRALIZATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE DELIVERY: A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY OF THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS IN BUDADIRI COUNTY SIRONKO DISTRICT UGANDA

ABSTRACT

Decentralization has been viewed widely by many in Uganda as the panacea to the challenges

of development in Uganda. With close to five years of the decentralization of the Ministry

of Health, the study sought to examine the services delivery of the Departments of Health and

Social Welfare; comparing the progress challced by both Departments and the challenges that

are experienced in the process of decentralization in the Departments. Employing a qualitative

research method, in-depth interviews wcre held with selected participants who included

Ministry officials and Community Leaders. The study found that even though the Ministry had

started the implementation of the decentralization program, the Department of Health had

advanced far greatly than the Department of Social Welfare. There were great disparities in

the implementation of the decentralization program between the two Departments. The Health

Sector was better funded, had more logistics and staff than the Social Welfare Sector. The study

also found that Health officials tended to lead in every sphere of the Ministry’s operations,

relegating the welfare staff to the background. There was very minimal collaboration between

the Departments of I-Iealth and Social Welfare. Overall, even though the decentralization

program has had some positive impact on the service delivery in the Ministry of Health and

Social welfare, there is much to be done in order for the people at the local level to have the

real benefits of the program. It is therefore recommended that the government takes steps to

stem the fragmentations in social services delivery in the country, provide the needed funding

for Social Welfare service delivery and in the medium to long term, detach the Department of

Social Welfare from the Ministry of Health and create an all new Ministry to encompass Social

V~1elfare and allied agencies in the country.

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