Democratization and public accountability at the grassroots in Tanzania: the case of Bukoba district
Loading...
Date
2010
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es salaam
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine public accountability at the grassroots within the context of the democratization process that started in 1992 in Tanzania. Specifically it intended to examine the formal structures and processes at the grassroots which are likely to influence accountability, if the necessary prerequisites for effective accountability regime at the village level are in place and wether citizens’ actual behaviour toward their village government influences or contributes to accountability at the grassroots. Relevant literature related to democratization and public accountability was reviewed and a theoretical framework based on the principal agency theory guided the study. The case study was conducted in four wards of Bukoba district with 120 respondents including village citizens, village government leaders and autonomous association leaders. These respondents were obtained through purposive, simple random and convinience sampling techniques. Data were gathered through questionnaires, interviews, observations and a review of documents and were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed. The study revealed that there minimal changes had taken place in the daily functioning of the village government at the grassroots resulting from the democratization process. The study noted that citizens at the grassroots perceived themselves as unable to hold their village government accountable. This was because of the legal provisions and regulations guiding the functioning of the village government, poor flow of information between the village government and the citizens, the low level of civic competence and the generally poor participation of the citizens in the decision-making process. There is a call for an amendment of existing laws and regulations governing the functioning of the village government, to intensify the provision of civic education to citizens and village government leaders by the central government, local government, policy makers and civic groups. Also the study recommends the use of a variety means of communication to supplement the village assembly. Finally, the study recommends further studies to explore any variations in citizen’ ability to demand accountability from local government leaders between urban and rural settings and from district council.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF JC511.T34K32)
Keywords
Public, Accountability
Citation
Kabyemela, M (2010) Democratization and public accountability at the grassroots in Tanzania: the case of Bukoba district, Master dissertation University of Dares Salaam. Dar es Salaam.