COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF GOVERNMENT PROJECTS IN UGANDA A CASE OF NORTHERN UGANDA SOCIAL ACTION FUND III IN SELECTED SUBCOUNTIES OF DOKOLO DISTRICT.
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Date
2026
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Gulu University
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between community participation and the sustainability of government projects in Uganda a case of Northern Uganda Social Action Fund III (NUSAF III) projects in Dokolo District. It was guided by four objectives: to assess the level of community participation, to examine the extent of project sustainability, to examine the relationship between community participation and project sustainability, and to establish the influence of the government policy framework on that relationship. The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design and a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected from 238 respondents using a structured questionnaire, and qualitative data from 20 key informant interviews and four focus group discussions in Batta, Adok, Kangai and Okwongodul sub-counties. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression in SPSS, and thematic analysis. Overall community participation was high, with collaboration highest and participatory decision-making lowest. Overall project sustainability was rated strongest in the social dimension and weakest in the environmental dimension. Community participation explained the variation in project sustainability, with empowerment and information sharing as the significant predictors. Adding the decentralization policy framework raised the explained variation, and the framework itself was a significant predictor of project sustainability. The study concludes that NUSAF III projects are sustained mainly where communities are empowered and well informed and where local governments provide follow-up support, while participation in decision-making remains shallow. It recommends that Dokolo District Local Government involve communities in project identification and budgeting, institutionalize information sharing and post-project monitoring, and continue capacity building for community project management committees.