Tools for Local-Level Rural Development Planning in Uganda

Virtually all developing countries are undertaking some type of reform to decentralize public decision-making. Under decentralization reforms, power is transferred from central government to institutions and actors at lower levels of political and /or administrative authority. The rational behind decentralization is that these reforms foster increased efficiency and equity in development activities. By virtue of their proximity to the people they serve, democratic local institutions are likely to have access to better information about local conditions and better understanding of local needs and aspirations, and to be more easily held accountable by local populations.

The purpose of this study is to test and evaluate whether two information-gathering techniques—GIS and PRA—can be integrated to help local organizations prepare better rural development plans and make better decisions about managing their resources. The case study was undertaken in the Nyantonzi parish, Masindi District, Uganda.