Bringing services closer to people: How distance to administrators affects public service delivery in Uganda
This policy brief presents the findings of a research project on the effect of proximity to district headquarters on access to public services in Uganda. Recommendations include leveraging proximity, fostering citizen participation, strengthening monitoring mechanisms, and carefully evaluating the costs and benefits of creating new administrative units.
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Gantier-Mita-Policy-Brief-March-2025.pdf
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- Reducing the geographical distance between citizens and district headquarters significantly improves access to essential public services, including electricity, roads, education, health services, and water.
- Proximity to administrative centres enhances citizen engagement with government officials, strengthens state capacity, and improves monitoring of public services.
- Strategic creation of local government administrative offices can improve service delivery but must be carefully balanced against potential inefficiencies and implemented with strong coordination between government levels.