A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUDGETED LOCAL EXPENDITURES AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN KASESE MUNICIPALITY.

Abstract

Background:

This study aims to determine the relationship between budgeted local expenditures and service delivery in Kasese Municipality.

 Methodology:

A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used in this study. The study included quantitative methodologies.

A sample of 130 respondents was drawn from the study population. Descriptive statistics were used to assess individual variables, and inferential statistics were employed to identify correlations between two variables per the study objectives. Multivariate analysis was also performed using regressions.

 Results:

The study included 120 people, with 34 (28.3%) women and 86 (71.7%) men. 81% of respondents agreed that political leaders in Kasese Municipality approve inflated budgets for kickbacks during project implementation, resulting in poor quality of service delivery with an average response of 4.13 with a standard deviation of 0.5.

The average response on whether planned expenditures are not implemented on time was 4.44, with a standard deviation of 0.2. 76% of respondents disagreed with the statement that effective planning helps to deliver timely and quality services in Kasese Municipality, with an average response of 1.93 and a standard deviation of 0.5. The correlation between budgeted spending and service delivery was 0.590, with a significance level of 0.000. As a result, there was a relatively strong positive link between projected expenditure and service delivery in Kasese Municipality.

 Conclusion:

Findings showed that service delivery was 48% predicted by budgeted local government expenditure (Adjusted R Square =.048).  Therefore, budgeted local government expenditure significantly influences service delivery.

 Recommendation:

The Municipal Council should revise some of the local taxes levied, methods of tax collection, and payment methods for full maximization of local revenue for service delivery. The central government should make decentralized policies to fill gaps in existing loopholes in local tax collection and expenditure for service delivery.