Participatory Planning Approach and Project Implementation in Uganda. A Case Study of Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality Bushenyi District - Uganda

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to analyze the reasons behind low implementation levels of the planned projects in Uganda. The researcher selected Bushenyi- lshaka Municipality as the case study. The purpose for carrying out this study was to find out whether Participatory planning approach has any impact on project implementation and development. The study also looked at how the challenges of participatory planning and project implementation may be mitigated. The researcher carried out the study to find out the significance of participatory planning approach in project implementation in Bushenyi- lshaka Municipality, to identify the relationship and challenges of participatory planning and project implementation in Bushenyi- lshaka Municipality and to study the strategies that can be put in place to address these challenges. The researcher had the following research questions: • What is the significance of participatory planning approach in project implementation in Bushenyi- lshaka Municipality? • What is the relationship and challenges of participatory planning and project implementation? • How can participatory planning and project implementation be promoted? The researcher reviewed literature from various secondary data sources; text books, reports, news papers, magazines and searched on the internet. The researcher got more information (Primary Data) from the field using data collection tools like the questionnaire and the interview guide among others. The research design was descriptive in nature and data was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed to reach findings, conclusions and recommendations. The researcher made the following conclusions. • Participatory planning produces comprehensive and holistic plans which contain views of all community members. • Participatory planning promotes social capital among community members and this in turn enhances co-operation in project ownership, implementation and sustainability. • Low levels of project implementation result from inadequate participation of the stakeholders in planning . • The researcher recommended that during planning, all stake holders and beneficiaries should be encouraged to participate so that they come up with a balanced plan. There should be adequate community sensitization so that the public is made aware of the importance of participatory planning and project implementation. Crosscutting issues like illiteracy, poverty, disease and environmental issues should be considered otherwise some categories of people will remain marginalized.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Declaration

Approval

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of contents

List of tables

List of figures

List of Abbreviations

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Statement of the problem

1.2 Purpose of the study

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Scope of the Study

1.6 Significance of the study

1.7 Conceptual Frame work

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

ii

iii

IV

V

vii

viii

IX

X

Page

1

11

11

12

12

12

14

16

2.0 Introduction 17

2.1 Significance of participatory planning in project implementation 17

2.2 Relationship of participatory planning and project implementation 23

2.3 Strategies to promote participatory planning and implementation 27

CHAPTERTHREE:METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

3.1 Research design

3.2 Target population

V

31

31

32

3.3 Sampling procedure 32

3.4 Sampling strategy & Sample Size 33

3.5 Data collection 34

3.6 Validity of instruments 36

3.7 Reliability of instruments 37

3.8 Data analysis and interpretation 38

3.9 Ethics 38

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.0 Introduction 39

4.1 Social demographic characteristics of the study sample 39

4.2 Significance of participatory planning approach 40

4.3 Relationship of participatory planning approach 44

4.4 Promoting participatory planning and project implementation 48

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0 Introduction 51

5.1 Discussion

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendation

5.4 Area for further study

References

Appendix i: Questionnaire for community members

Appendix ii: Questionnaire for community workers

Appendix iii: Guide questions to the FGD

Appendix iv :Map showing area of study