Background
KCSON, with support from the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), implemented "Promoting Inclusive Public Finance Management (PIP) Project" to promote people‑centred expenditure policies that improved social sector financing and equitable service delivery in Uganda by 2021.
The initiative worked through Participatory Budget Clubs (PBCs) in five sub‑counties — Kakumiro TC, Bwanswa, Kyabasaija, Kisengwe, and Kasambya — each with up to 20 members and 2 Community Budget Advisers. PBCs conducted quarterly budget monitoring and community dialogues, enabling citizens to engage directly with duty bearers and influence national and local fiscal policies for better public finance management.
Key sectors that PBCs monitored
- Education sector targeting majorly Government Primary Schools.
- Health Sector particiculary Health Centres (II,III, IV).
- Agriculture Sector.
- Water and Environment.
- Social Development Sector.
Key Findings from the Monitoring
A. Agriculture
Agricultural input distribution was reported to be unfair, with district‑level decisions overriding beneficiary lists submitted by sub‑county agricultural officers. Extension services reached few farmers due to limited staffing — in some cases, sub‑counties such as Kasambya and Kisengwe shared the same officer. Additionally, inputs provided by government, such as coffee seedlings, were often neglected by farmers and left to dry before planting.
B. Education
Monitoring revealed persistent challenges in education service delivery. Pupil performance remained low, with most schools recording third and fourth grades, and retention rates were poor — many P.7 classes had fewer than 20 learners despite high enrolment in P.1. Absenteeism among pupils was common, especially on market days, while some schools reported as few as three learners on opening day
There was a shortage of trained teachers for learners with special needs, and facilities for those with sight or hearing impairments were lacking. Cases of defilement contributed to school dropouts, with some reports of police inaction. Political interference discouraged parental contributions to schools, and many schools suffered from understaffing, high teacher absenteeism, and cases of alcoholism.
Enrolment in certain schools increased due to displacement from land disputes, further straining resources — for example, Kihumuro P.S had over 800 pupils, only eight teachers, and desk ratios as high as 1:6. Unethical behaviour, including the use of abusive language by some teachers, was also reported.
C. Health
Monitoring revealed serious staffing shortages, with some facilities operating at less than half the required workforce — for example, Kyabasaija HCIII had 8 of the required 19 staff, while Kisengwe HCIII had only 2. Many health centres experienced frequent medicine stock‑outs, with Kisengwe relying on supplies from Kakumiro HCIV. Late staff reporting, early departures, and weekend closures further limited-service delivery.
Kisengwe and Kyabasaija HCIIIs had no capacity to admit inpatients despite handling cases that required admission, and Kyabasaija served patients from neighbouring Mubende District. Delivery beds were inadequate, forcing some mothers to give birth on admission beds, and Kisengwe lacked a maternity ward altogether. Hygiene concerns were noted, including full latrines in maternity wards and full placenta pits at Kakumiro HCIV.