How Does Horizontal Support Communication affect Fiscal Decentralisation? An analysis of Government Aided Primary Schools in Eastern Uganda

Kato Hussein  Munuulo; Kedibone  Phago; Gerald  Karyeija

Kato Hussein Munuulo Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Kedibone Phago North West University, South Africa
Gerald Karyeija Uganda Management Institute, Uganda

Keywords: Fiscal Decentralisation, Horizontal Support Communication, lowest accounting officers, Government aided primary schools

Abstract

The paper considers a question of public schooling system in the context of how the Horizontal Support Communication (HSC) affects the notion of Fiscal Decentralisation (FD). It is a considered view that many public schools face serious challenges in the management of fiscal resources which requires that the Central Government streamlines communication and availability of information to the lowest accounting officers (Head teachers). The paper undertakes to analyse how a Horizontal Support Communication arrangement could enhance Fiscal Decentralisation delivery in the public sector. A focus for this paper is placed on a Government Aided Programme in Elementary Education Sector in Busoga sub region of Eastern Uganda. This empirical study contributes to knowledge as it is the first regional study in Uganda that adopted a cross-sectional design approach using a quantitative research paradigm together with correlation and regression analysis. This approach was necessitated by the relatively inexpensive data collection process which was able to access a larger sample of 306 respondents. The key finding provides that there is a positive and significant outcome which suggests that Horizontal Support Communication could effectively improve Fiscal Decentralisation.