Balancing rural poverty reduction and citizen participation: The contradiction of Uganda’s decentralisation program. World Development 31(2

Summary. —Ugandas ambitious decentralization program is analyzed in terms of a ‘‘Dual-Mode’’ system of local governance. Under a ‘‘technocratic mode,’ ’ conditional funding from the center is earmarked for particular programs but with little local participation. In contrast, the ‘‘patronage mode’ ’ is an elaborate system for local ‘‘bottom-up’ ’ planning, but with limited resources, which are largely consumed in administrative costs and political emoluments. Along with the spoils of a committee system controlling contracts and appointments, these resources provide the means for building political alliances and loyalty. In the absence of a culture of transparency and civic engagement to assure downward accountability, it remains to be seen whether decentralization can promote both efficient service delivery and local empowerment simultaneously