Local economic development policy and capacity building in local government in Mubende District (2014-2020)

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of National Local Economic Development Policy 2014 on the Capacity Building of Local Government in Mubende District 2014-2020. It looked at the capacity gaps that existed before the implementation of LED 2014 in local governments. The study focused on the challenges and opportunities of NLEDP 2014 and looked at the impact the LED interventions had on capacity building in the local governments. The study was guided by the Empowerment Theory developed by Julian Rappaport, Oakley, and Clayton in 1981. Rappaport proposed that empowerment should be a primary focus of community psychology. He believed that empowerment was about helping those with less than their fair share of power to understand their situation and gain more power. 83 respondents were sampled. They included district technical staff, elected leaders, Sub-county staff, Entrepreneurs, farmers, businesspersons and citizens. The study used secondary sources like documents and reports. Data collection was based on a case study research design in which in-depth interviews, observations and review of documents was conducted. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that LED had the potential to strengthen the competitive position of localities by developing the underutilized capacities in terms of both human and natural resources. In addition, it can create an enabling environment for business development and enhance employment levels through LED tailored training, Entrepreneur development and mentorship schemes. The study noted that capacity gaps existed in the form of institutional, organizational and individual capacities before the implementation of LED and that little or no effort was made to close these gaps. The study revealed that LED in capacity building faced the challenges of bureaucracy, lack of funding, Mindset change, lack of clear structures to implement CB and LED. It noted that amidst these challenges still Mubende district had many opportunities to exploit and get a competitive edge over others in form of tourism attraction sites, its centrality in the oil-rich Albertine valley, a cosmopolitan population that is young and growing, local market and magnificent forests. It recommends that the Central government develop a simplified guideline for policy implementation, allocate resources particularly to LED other than working on assumptions that local governments will use local resources.