An assessment of the challenges associated with monitoring and evaluation practices in local government projects in Uganda: a case of local government water projects in Rakai.

Abstract

This dissertation study Challenges in Practicing Monitoring and Evaluation: The Case of Local Government Water Projects in Rakai, Uganda. Specifically the study identify the challenges faced by water projects in Monitoring and Evaluation practice at Rakai District, it also examine the nexus between M&E and the performance for water supply project at Rakai. This aims to identify the best approaches in improving M&E practices applied in water project at Rakai. A total of 32 respondents were drawn from different levels, which included the officials in District water department and other department staff, Both Quantitative data obtained through prepared questionnaires and Qualitative data from Interviews done district officials. Questionnaires and Interviews, have been used as data collection tools, data analysis was done through a special programme known as Statistical package for social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft excel, 2007 Findings of this study showed that, the current M&E practices applied in water projects in Rakai District are, field visit, Project Reports, and no any other extra M&E practices identified, out of four M&E tools identified was poor, this was due to the challenges facing the M&E practice, “The challenges in practicing M&E including Political influence, weak management team in M&E practice, and lack of technical staffs; staffs are Unqualified and untrained”. It is recommended that the use of best approaches to improve M&E systems includes Capacity building and Training programmes and data management, Practice of M&E planning and improving M&E information sharing on project execution, the change of National policies and set enough budgets for M&E.