Conference Agenda

Problem Statement and Purpose

There has been a significant amount of discourse surrounding accountability and ethics and its importance within the public sector. Following the establishment of a new democratic South Africa, the government faces challenges in providing the much-needed services that most of the population has been eagerly awaiting. Therefore, the challenge remains, in delivering services effectively, impartially and courteously while still being sensitive to the needs of a diverse public.

Accountability and ethics remain challenging areas in the in the public service, as much needed services to most of the population have now deteriorated and in some areas seems non-existent. The focus of this paper is to thoroughly analyse the significance of accountability and ethics, with a specific emphasis on its importance towards improvement in public service delivery. An overview and analysis are given of various methods of service delivery, with a view to its implications for accountability and ethics. It is crucial to re-evaluate ethical standards and investigate methods to improve the productivity and performance of the public sector in South Africa.

Methodology

A non-empirical research paradigm (conceptual research) was adopted. As it is conceptual in nature, the researcher used the findings from existing literature on the topic and conducted a content analysis. Data were collected from books, professional journals, relevant websites, dissertations, theses, and article abstracts.

Findings

The public service has become almost synonymous with lack of customer service and unethical behaviour. As governments worldwide seek to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public service, the question beckons, if sound accountability and improved ethical standards will augment public services. The findings of the study indicate the implications of alternative service delivery for accountability mechanisms and ethical considerations. Factors have been pinpointed as leading contributors to unethical behaviour and the lack of accountability include psychological, social, economic, and organizational influences, in addition to intricate laws, insufficient ethical awareness, and inadequate oversight and accountability measures.

Proposals

Behaviour and professionalism in the public sector significantly influence a country’s growth and continuity. This paper concludes with a framework and recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to uphold accountability and ethics amidst the adoption of alternative service delivery approaches. The implementation of strategies for balancing accountability and ethics in the context of alternative service delivery, drawing on best practices and theoretical frameworks should be considered. Public sector organizations need to consistently engage, promote and exemplify ethical leadership and accountability in a professional manner through various means, including policy frameworks.

References

Brauns,M. Mdlazi, D. 2015. Ethics, codes, of conduct, morals and professionalism as bulwark against corruption and unethical conduct in the public sector: A case of South Africa. Risk governance & control: financial markets & institutions / Volume 5, Issue 4, 2015, 1.

DeMuth, C. 2016. Can the administrative state be tamed? Journal of Legal Analysis, 8, 121–190.

Hassan, S., Wright, B., & Yukl, G. 2016. Does ethical leadership matter in government? Effects on organizational commitment, absenteeism, and willingness to report ethical problems. Public Administration Review, 74(3), 333–343.

Lues, L. 2007. Service delivery and ethical conduct in the public service: the missing links. Koers Journal, 72(2).

Mle, T.R. and Maclean, S. 2011. Ethics, integrity and good governance: The case of South Africa’s local sphere of government. Journal of Public Administration. Vol. 46 (4).

Podger, A. 2002. The ethical challenges in the public service, Australian National University. Available from:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237234831_THE_ETHICAL_CHALLENGES_IN_THE_PUBLIC_SERVICE/citation/download Date of access: 14 March. 2024.

Problem Statement and Purpose

Local Governments (LGs) is the sphere of government that is closest to the citizens, that is essential for grass root public service such as provision of education and health care services, safe water, agriculture and environment, public works and infrastructure. The realization of such services hinges on the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms. Over the years, Uganda has developed policies, enacted legislations, established institutions and developed mechanisms to promote accountability in the use of public resources and also build ethical conduct among public servants. It could therefore be inferred that these reforms will enhance accountability and reduce corruption, which would then translate into better local service delivery. We ask the question: Have they? Although considerable improvement has been registered in the quality of financial reporting and management accountability, significant weaknesses still remain in the accountability cycle, negatively affecting local service delivery. The central like local governments have been in the spotlight and under constant attack by the public for not being accountable to the citizens, always demonstrating a liability, as service delivery sternly wanes. It has become a subject of much discussion and soul searching as to what can be done to improve government accountability and curb corruption, despite the presence of accountability and anti-corruption infrastructure. The study will seek to examine Local Government Accountability mechanisms in Uganda and provide recommendations to improve their effectiveness, for better service delivery.

Methodology

The study will seek to establish the effectiveness of Local Government Accountability mechanisms in Uganda i.e. ‘why and how’ public accountability in the context of the Ugandan local governments. Given this study intent, a qualitative research approaches serve as the most suitable to achieve the study objective. Accordingly, qualitative research approaches will be used in sampling, data collection and analysis. Data collecting will involve interviews and documentary reviews as source of data.

Findings

Preliminary findings so far indicated that Uganda is grappling with poor accountability deficits at all levels of government. The numerous corruption scandals in Uganda, when verified with Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, regional Afro barometer and national surveys, indicate that corruption is escalating, with severe impact at front line service delivery. This is confirmed by recent studies on the cost of corruption in Uganda that showed that over US $ 2billion -around 20% of the national budget is lost to corruption annually. The mere fact that corruption in Uganda is increasing, implies that accountability mechanisms are not yet effective.

Proposals

The commonly held view is that public accountability is intrinsic to democracies. Accountability delineates the relationship between the state and its citizens, holding the former answerable for its actions. Additionally, accountability enables the public to oversee the utilization of public resources, reduces corruption, and enhances the performance of public institutions. Empirical research on public accountability in local government sphere in Uganda is far from exhausted and more inquiries are required to learn more.

References

words: Local governance, accountability mechanisms, Corruption

1. Waldron, J. 2014. Accountability: fundamental to democracy. NYU School of Law, Public Law Research Paper, (14-13).

2. Hout, W., Wagner, N., & Demena, B. A. 2022. Does accountability enhance service delivery? Assessment of a local scorecard initiative in Uganda. World Development, 158, 106011.

3. Likangaga, R., Kumburu, N. P., & Panga, F. 2023. Influence of accountability indicators on service delivery among local government authorities in Dodoma, Tanzania.

4. Bukenya, B., & Hickey, S. 2019. The shifting fortunes of the economic technocracy in Uganda: Caught between state-building and regime survival?.

5. Conforte, M. 2021. Accountability and Performance of Local Governments in Uganda: A Case of Kabale District Local Government (Doctoral dissertation, Kabale University).

6. Forman, J., Creswell, J. W., Damschroder, L., Kowalski, C. P., & Krein, S. L. 2008. Qualitative research methods: key features and insights gained from use in infection prevention research. American journal of infection control, 36(10), 764-771.

7. Transparency International 2021. Corruption perceptions index 2021. Retrieved from https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2021

8. Kakumba, Ronald Makanga. "A never-ending problem: Ugandans say corruption level has increased, rate government fight against corruption poorly." 2021. Avalibale: https://www.afrobarometer.org/publication/ad435-never-ending-problem-ugandans-say-corruption-level-has-increased-rate-government/

9. The Inspectorate of Government. The Fourth National Integrity Survey report 2019. 2020. Available: https://www.igg.go.ug/media/files/publications/MAIN_REPORT_1.pdf

10. Fazekas et al supra note 11

11. Fazekas, M., Adam, I., & Nikulina. O. Study on the cost of corruption in Uganda. Government of Uganda 2021. Availbale: https://www.igg.go.ug/media/files/publications/Cost_of_Corruption_Popular_Version.pdf