Assessment of stakeholder participation in public institutions' decision making : a case of Kampala Capital City Authority

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess stakeholder participation in public institutions' effective decision-making with a major focus on KCCA. It examined stakeholder interests at KCCA and assessed the challenges facing that institution, further it also examined the relationship between stakeholder participation and KCCA effective decision making. A descriptive research design and stratified random sampling were adopted to collect data from a sample of 63 respondents. Descriptive data analysis and person correlation test were conducted. Significant findings included the following: 84% of respondents, agreed that they involve other stakeholders in the formulation of strategies which promote effective decision making and 57.2% of respondents agreed that they involve relevant stakeholder in the implementation of KCCA projects further, regarding KCCA challenges 71.2% of respondent agreed that engaging stakeholders lengthens the timeline of reaching a decision; 55.9% agreed that lack of appropriate training and resource limits the benefits of stakeholder participation in KCCA. Lastly, results indicated that there is a positive significant correlation between stakeholder interest and effective decision making (r = 0.430; p<0.01) and also a significant positive correlation between stakeholder participation and effective decision making (r = 0.324; p<0.01). It is recommended that KCCA should involve relevant stakeholders in the formulation, policy advocacy, and seeking for adequate financial support from government and agencies. It is also suggested that stakeholders be engaged in monitoring and evaluation of KCCA activities at KCCA divisional level.