AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF BUDGET CREDIBILITY AND SERVICE DELIVERY OUTCOMES IN COMMUNITY ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE IN KYENJOJO TOWN COUNCIL, UGANDA

This study examined the influence of budget formulation, implementation, and reporting on service delivery outcomes in Kyenjojo Town Council, with a particular focus on road infrastructure projects. The objective was to assess how participatory planning, adherence to legal frameworks, monitoring, and transparency in budgeting affect the quantity, quality, timeliness, and community satisfaction of road services. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from 120 respondents comprising technical staff, politicians, civil society officials, and local residents using structured questionnaires, interviews, and key informant guides. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, hierarchical regression, correlation, and variance measures, while qualitative data underwent content analysis to supplement numerical findings. The results revealed that budget formulation had the strongest effect on service delivery outcomes (ΔR² = 0.42), with stakeholder consultation (β = 0.25) and alignment with legal frameworks (β = 0.28) significantly predicting improvements in road infrastructure. Budget implementation and reporting contributed moderately to service delivery (ΔR² = 0.18 and 0.12, respectively), with supervision, monitoring, and standardized accounting practices showing positive impacts. Qualitative insights corroborated these findings, highlighting challenges such as delayed fund disbursement, partial stakeholder engagement, and limited accessibility of budget reports to the community. The study concludes that effective service delivery is contingent upon participatory, transparent, and legally compliant budgeting processes. It recommends strengthening stakeholder engagement, improving feedback mechanisms, ensuring timely fund releases, and enhancing transparency in reporting. Policy measures should institutionalize participatory budgeting, reinforce legal compliance, and promote accessible, accountable reporting to enhance community trust and local government legitimacy.