The Contribution of Northern Uganda Social Action Fund to the Level of Socio-Economic Development of the Beneficiary Communities in Kitgum District

THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF NORTHERN UGANDA SOCIAL ACTION FUND TO THE LEVEL OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE BENEFICIARY COMMUNITIES IN KITGUM DISTRICT

CASE STUDY: KITGUM TOWN COUNCIL

BY

OCHOLA RICHARD

KS05B05/653

A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OF UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

SUPERVISOR: MRS. MIREMBE DEBORA

JUNE 2008
APPROVAL

The research entitled the contribution of Northern Uganda Social Action Fund to the level of socio-economic development of the communities in Kitgum District between 2003-2007 have been under my close supervision and is now ready for submission to Uganda Christian University (UCU) with my approval.

………………………………………….
MRS. MIREMBER DEBORAH (SUPERVISOR)

Date:……………………………………………….

DECLARATION

This document is part of the writer’s study programme for the award of a Bachelor of Business Administration. The views contained therein have been researched and are exclusively the author’s void of any duplications whatsoever.
Responsibility for the quality and quantity of the work is entirely the researcher’s.

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OCHOLA RICHARD (RESEARCHER)

Date:…………………………………………

ACKNOWLEDEGMENT

It would have been difficult if not impossible to witness the birth of a report of this nature without the invaluable help, suggestions and criticisms advanced by many people. Space will not allow me to spell out all their names but special thanks go to my supervisor Mrs. Mirember Deborah, our lecturer in Research Methodology Mr. Katono Isaac. The author profoundly acknowledge the contribution of the entire management team of UCU that made sure the academic atmosphere was conducive enough to enable students bridge the whole three years under their guardianship and special thanks go to the staff in the department of Business and Administration for their commitments toward our success.

My course mates have been much of assistance and to them I say, “Thank you very much”.

Finally I would like to thank the staff in NUSAF office Kitgum District for availing me the necessary information to enable me writes this report.

DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate this research report to my beloved children; Mercy and Jonathan for they suffered in my absence.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
Research title………………………. ….i
Approval………………………. ..ii
Declaration………………………………………………. …….iii
Acknowledgment…………. …iv
Dedication…………………. .v
Table oc contents…………………………………………………………………………....vi
List of Abbreviations…... …………………………………. ix
List of Tables …………………….. x
List of figures…………………….. xi
Abstract….………………………………………………………………………………......xii

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction…………………………..……….……… 1
1.0 Background to the study 1
1.1 Statement of the problem 3
1.2 Purpose of the study…. 3
1.3 Objectives of the study………………………………………………………………… 4
1.4 Research Questions…. 4
1.5 Scope of the study…… 5
1.6 Significance of the study 5
1.7 Limitations to the study……………………………….. 6

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction……………… 7
2.1 Related literature…………… 7

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Introction…………………………………………………………….……………….……..15
3.1 Research design……………………….…………………………………………..…....15
3.2 Procedures for data collection…………….……………………………………...…......16
3.3 Samples and Subject selection……………..…………………………………………...16
3.4 Research instruments………...…………………….………………………………......17
3.5 Data presentation………………………………….……………...………………........17
3.6 Data analysis……...……………………………….………………………………...….17

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 DATA PRESENTATION ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ……………..18

Introduction……………………………………………..…………………………………..18
4.1.1 Socio-demographic data of respondents.. ………..……………………………..…...19
4.1.2 Purpose of NUSAF project …………………………………………………........….22
4.1.3 Contributions of NUSAF………………………………………………………….. 24
4.1.4 Problems faced by NUSAF project……………………………………..………. … 30

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Introduction……………………………….…………………………………………..…….31
5.1 Discussions…………………………………………………………………………….31
5.2 Conslusions………….. ….32
5.3 Reccommendations…………………………………………………………………….33

BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………...35

APPENDICES

Appendix A : Questionnaire for communities
Appendix B : Questionnaire for Staff
Appendix C : Introduction letter

LISTS OF ABBREVIATIONS

NUSAF = Northern Uganda Social Action Fund
AVSI = International Service Volunteers Association
NGO = Non Governmental Organisation
IRC = International Rescue Committee
WFP = World Food Programme
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IDA = International Development Agency
CBO = Community Base Organisation
CSO = Civil Society Organisation
IDP = Internally Displace People’s Camps
UNDP = United Nation Development Programme
UDN = Uganda Debt Network
NDTO = NUSAF District Technical Officer
CDI = Community Development Initiative
CPMC = Community project Management Committee
PEAP = Poverty Eradication Action Plan
VGS = Vulnerable Group Support
ID = Institutional Development
YOP = Youth Opportunities
SRD = Sustainable Rural Development
PSDP = Private Sector Development Programme
CDD = Community Driven Development
MDG = Millennium Development Goals
DRIF = Demand-Driven Rural Investment Funds
LRA = Lord Resistant Army
LGDP = Local Government Development Programme
CAO = Chief Administrative Officer
LC = Local Council
PWD = People with Disability
HIV = Human Immune Virus

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1A: Showing male and female respondents from the community.
Table 1B: Showing Age brackets of community respondents.
Table 1C: Showing Occupations of beneficiary respondents.
Table 1D: Sources of information about NUSAF
Table 2A: Responses on Purpose, Benefits and goal achievement.
Table 2B: Data used to calculate the correlation coefficient.
Table 2C Data used to determine the relationship between the project goals and benefits received.
Table 3: Frequency counts for NUSAF officials
Table 4: Summary of potential contributions of NUSAF to education sector by the end of Dec. 2006

LIST OF GRAPHS

Graph 1: Number of completed subprojects by sector in Dec.2006.
Graph 2: Showing the funded subproject in Health Sector by Dec.2006.
Graph 3: Showing water subproject completed by the end of Dec.2006.

ABSTRACT

This study is aimed at assessing the contribution of NUSAF project to the socio-economic development of the beneficiary communities in Kitgum district taking a case study of Kitgum Town Council. It is conducted to assess whether the approach taken by the government and the world banks of empowering the local communities to identify their priority needs and tackle it themselves with the assistances from the bank and the government has work.

In carrying out the research the researcher used both descriptive and analytical research methods. It covered the beneficiary communities within Kitgum town council and the staff of NUSAF and those of implementing agencies.
The study was conducted to find out the purposes of NUSAF project, its contribution to the area, problems encountered in the implementation and what can be done as a way forward to improve its implementation

The study covered the population within the four (4) parishes in Kitgum town council and it was meant to cover a period of five (5) years from 2003 to 2007. The information used in the analysis was collected mainly using two sets of questionnaires distributed to eighty (80) respondents from among the community beneficiaries and twenty (20) respondents from the staff of NUSAF and implementing agencies. A total of ninety five (95) questionnaires were returned and used in the analysis of this study.

The results of the study found out that the purpose for the introduction of NUSAF project in this area was to; alleviate poverty 54 (56.8%), improve the level of economic development 25 (26.3%), as a recovery programme because of the long LRA war 6 (6.3%),to improve all that above conditions 10 (10.5%).
The results of the rank correlation coefficient calculated showed that NUSAF project has led to a general improvement in the level socio-economic development in the area including increase in the level of individual household income, availability of safe water to the communities, trainings in vocational skills achieved, employment opportunities increased, school buildings and health centres constructed and improved road network.

In summary therefore, the researcher concluded by saying that NUSAF project has contributed a lot to the communities in Kitgum town council.

The recommendation given included that of total participation of both the district authorities and the central government in monitoring the implementation of the projects, proper modalities of monitoring the performance be put in place to avoid cases of corruption, more capacity building trainings should be provided to the community, sensitization on the project activities be increased, the beneficiaries should show much commitments to the project and with the achievements received, the researcher would recommend that the project be extended or another phase of the funds be given. This will help Uganda in achieving the millennium development goals.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Inadequate saving, low income level and low standard of living as a result of prolonged war in Northern Uganda has led to formation of Northern Uganda Social Action Funds (NUSAF) project to provide the local people with development funds to invest in projects of their own choice so as to improve their standard of living.

Kitgum being one of the benefiting districts is located around 470 kilometers from Kampala, 100 kilometers from Gulu town. It is bordered by Sudan in north, Kotido from east, Pader south-east, Lira south and Gulu in the west.
Over 80 % of the population of Kitgum have been living in internally protected camps for over 10 years and they live in abject poverty hence greatly depend on relief food from Non-governmental organization like World Food Programme, World Vision and many others.

1.0 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
In the late eighties to date several international and local Non-governmental organizations have taken interest in Uganda and particularly in Northern Uganda where the population have been affected by the prolonged war. These include International Service Volunteers Association (AVSI) 1988, International Rescue Committee (IRC) 1998, Oxfam, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and World Vision among others. All these organizations have taken interest in various projects ranging from social, economic, political, sanitation, agriculture and cultural activities among the communities. NGOs like World Food Programs (WFP), World Vision and AVSI among others even distributed food and some non food items to the population who are not able to provide for themselves basic necessities.

Economic development is defined as a sustainable wealth creation process that works within the framework of community parameters to maximize the efficient and effective utilization of community resources for economic gain for the local population. It is the entire array of activities, conducted by both government and private sector, working in partnership with government, intended to expand the economy of a designated area by increasing the level of income, standards of living and the number of jobs available to its population.

Northern Uganda Social Action Funds project also introduced a five years programs funded by World Bank through International Development Agency (IDA) with contribution from the government of Uganda and the beneficiary communities with the aim of eradicating poverty.
The project which is adopted to provide more resources to the communities in these areas affected by conflicts and high level poverty is based on the Community-driven Development (CDD) approach to promote community empowerment and ownership in the context of decentralized development to ensure eradication of poverty, promote sustainable development and to create conditions for higher levels of investment in agriculture and rural development. This is expected to be achieved through empowering communities by enhancing their capacities to systematically identify, prioritize, and plan for their needs, and implement sustainable development initiatives that would improve their socio-economic services and all over the country side. This was done through; Community development Initiative (CDI), Community Reconciliation and Conflict Management (CRCM), Vulnerable Group Support (VGS), Institutional Development (ID), Youth Opportunities (YOP) for youth rehabilitation in the area.

Despite all the above efforts by the government, NGOs and Community Base Organization, (CBOs) in strengthening and developing the communities in these areas through improving their standards of living covering these verse areas of opportunities, the organizations seems not to be realizing their goals of poverty reduction and improvement of economic development in the areas. This is because the communities living in these areas were still in abject poverty, with very low income per household that can not make them afford the basic necessities of life.

1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The introduction of Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) project in Uganda was intended for investments in a participatory, equitable and sustainable manner to contribute to poverty reduction in the region. This was to be achieved through empowering communities by enhancing their capacities to systematically identify, prioritize, and plan for their needs, and implement sustainable development initiatives that would improve their socio-economic services and opportunities. This was intended to lead to improvement in the livelihood of the beneficiary communities, hence economic development.

However, in Kitgum Town Council, despite all the support from NUSAF and many Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the intended goals of increasing income, poverty reduction, improvement in standard of living and general economic development seems to have not been realized.
This study therefore was aimed at determining the contributions of NUSAF on the socio-economic activities of the communities in the area.

1.2 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The aim of this research was to assess the contribution of NUSAF project on the socio-economic development and how it has affected the standard of living of the communities in Kitgum district taking a case study of the communities in Kitgum town council by determining how NUSAF project has affected their level of income, standards of living and general economic development.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study was guided by the following objectives:

a) To investigate the purpose for the introduction of Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) project and it performance in the area.

b) To establish the contributions of NUSAF project on the level of income, standards of living, and general economic development.

c) To find out constrains if any in the implementation of Northern Uganda Social Action Funds project in their struggle to improve the standards of living in this area.

d) To find way forward of increasing the level of income, standards of living that will eventually lead to economic development in the area.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The research was base of the following questions;

a) What was the purpose for the introduction of Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) project and how is it performing?

b) What changes occurred in the level of income, standards of living and the general economic development in the study area.

c) What contributions did NUSAF project have in the level of income, standard of living and economic development of the communities in the study area?

d) What constrains if any were faced by NUSAF in the implementation of the project and what possible solutions/way forward may be identified to ensure the success of the project?

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study was carried out to assess the contribution of NUSAF project among the communities in Kitgum town council. It focused on the four parishes of Kitgum Town Council which included; Guu, Alango, Pager and Langalanga parishes within the area. It also included the staff in NUSAF offices in the district and the staff of some selected implementing agencies who participated in the implementation of the different sub-projects with the communities.
Emphasis were placed on the level of income, standard of living and other socio-economic development in the area in relation to the introduction of Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) project covering a period of five (5) years from the time of NUSAF project inception in 2003 to December 2007.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCES OF THE STUDY

a) The study result will benefit the government of Uganda in drawing their development plan and especially the resettlement plan for the people who were displaced in internally displaced people’s camps (IDPs) through identification of development gap and request for donations or grants from other countries.

b) It will also help the World Banks body to assess the benefits received from their funding as compared to other similar project in other countries. This will help them to improve on service delivery to the community.

c) The results will the local communities in ways of improving their livelihood, by encouraging them on how to put the money given in good development project as may have been identified from related literature review on similar project carried out in other countries.
d) The study will be helpful to other researchers for further investigation in related areas where such project is in place.
e) It will also help NUSAF authority to enhance their capacity to systematically identify priorities areas and plan for the needs within the system and manage sustainable initiative to benefit the local communities.
1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

a) Due to the delay in the release of the reports from the office of the prime minister, much of the reports of 2007 were not available for use, therefore some of reports used for analysis were for the period ending December 2006.

b) The researcher was be affected by the weather problems especially with the beginning of the rainy season movement out to the communities was very difficult.

c) Due to long distance from the university to the study area, the research was affected by high cost of transport.

d) The size of the respondents taken to be included in the study was no adequate give a good picture of what was happening in the whole Kitgum district.

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction

There has been a lot of reports on the mismanagement of NUSAF funds in most of the districts where this project is implemented thus bringing in public outcry on whether this project will meet its intended goals and objectives of poverty reduction among the communities in these areas. In this chapter therefore, the researcher presented the examination of what other researchers have done in related areas. Here the researcher has focused on some related documented information written by other researchers so as to be able to apply or criticized the tools used in his findings. The literature reviews were extracted from different sources like text book, journals, news papers, internet articles among others.
The major objectives of this chapter is to point out directions as taken in other places to enable the communities use the support provided productively to improve their standards of living.
It is therefore necessary for backing up the research carried out by assessing the contributions of NUSAF in the area.

2.1 RELATED LITERATURES

Andrew Shepherd (1998), Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) postulated that the funds given had led to the development of public activities as well as capital development through the provision of start up capital. The income of the public has been able to increase thus generating greater demand which is the key to balance and sustainable rural economic growth. He emphasized that increase rural income generates greater demands, which in turn is the key to balance and sustainable rural economic growth and food supply.
It also promotes diversity of local service trade and production of goods and services in the area. He went further to say that “the generation of income earning opportunities and improved access to services for the people and positive participation in development process in Northern region, has led to reduction of poverty level as the World Bank poverty reducing programme.

Private Sector Development Program (1999), the Uganda government program funded by United Nation Development Program (UNDP) under World Bank came out to emphasis that loan and fund can be granted to the customers for visible project. They insist that before loan or funds are disbursed, there is need for having coordinated plan for it. They meant that fund should be given to a group of individuals who are going to invest in its and generate income to curb the low standards of living and hence reducing income inequalities.

Brown B.M. and Charles H. (1998), in The World Bank Financial Adjustment Credit noted that financial sector reform program which began in 1991 with the support of the World Bank financial sector adjust credit with the support of legislative changes to the banking laws and the bank of Uganda Act pointed out the objectives of financial liberalization reform system they which included;
a) Boosting deposit mobilization of the income earner.
b) Enhancing the efficiency which the financial services provided and financing resource allocated.
c) Strengthening of monitory control to improve on the standard of living of the public.
In their book of financial sector reform program 1998, they emphasized that the government must distribute their financial service to all parts of the country to enhance equal income distribution in all levels.

Basil Kandyomunda (2004), in UDN Policy Review Newsletter indicated that NUSAF has created employment opportunities in the Northern region who were more unemployed and had brought major challenges to the government of Uganda.
The standard of living has increased in per capita income. UDN policy Reviewed News Letter 2004 asserted that; “approximate per capita adjusted allocation for the project is US$ 19.6, meaning that each person out of the 6.3 million in the targeted areas is expected to have a share of approximately 3,500 Uganda shilling. In this report, the local communities in Kitgum are part of the population to get this fund so as to increase on their income and reduce poverty.
However the writer pointed out that the per capita grant of US$ 19 is too small and besides there is total ignorance of the people from the region about NUSAF. He further explained that any meaningful programme for Northern Uganda region which is increasingly becoming poorer requires sustainable investment to cause not only stabilization but to trigger development initiatives. He concluded that Northern Uganda needs a Marshall plan like the post World War II Marshall Plan of Europe, not just trickle of grant like NUSAF.

In World Development Report 2004 entitled “Making Services Work for Poor People” carried out by World Bank, it is reported that too often, services fail poor people in access, quality, and in affordability. But the fact that there are striking examples where basic services such as water, sanitation, health, education, and electricity do work for poor people means that governments and citizens can do a better job of providing them. Learning from success and understanding the sources of failure, this year’s World Development Report argues that services can be improved by putting poor people at the center of service provision by enabling the poor to monitor and discipline service providers, by amplifying their voice in policymaking, and by strengthening the incentives for providers to serve the poor. Freedom from illness and freedom from illiteracy are two of the most important ways poor people can escape from poverty. To achieve these goals, economic growth and financial resources are of course necessary, but they are not enough. The World Development Report provides a practical framework for making the services that contribute to human development work for poor people. With this framework, citizens, governments, and donors can take action and accelerate progress toward the common objective of poverty reduction, as specified in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The New Vision, Friday, September 28, 2008, page 13, NUSAF District Technical Officer (NDTO) Mr. Ojangole S. said that this project is in deed a success story in Kumi district with many sub-projects benefiting from 9.6 million worth of money since the implementation of the project in February 2004. He further said that NUSAF is a good model through which the government and other charitable organizations could reach out to the poor so as to uplift their standards of living that would eventually lead to improved economic development.

David Ssengendo 2007, NUSAF Newsletter of Friday, 09 March 2007, it was noted that one of the prime components of the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) is the Community Development Initiative (CDI) that addresses issues of infrastructure in the communities. Pallisa district, among other NUSAF districts has exhibited considerable performance in implementing CDI specifically in the provision of teachers’ houses, laboratories, classrooms and health units. Among the exemplary teachers houses built in the district is at Omatakojo primary school. NUSAF disbursed 41,241,923/= for this twin teachers’ house that is expected to accommodate two teachers. The Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) optimally used the funds and completed the house with stipulated requirements. The house is fitted with solar lighting system and a water tank. These functionality facilities are to provide teachers with basic comfort in this rural setting. Notably, other teachers’ houses sub-projects funded in the district have similar functionality facilities.

Basil Kandyomunda (2004), UDN Policy Review Newsletter, explained that the rise in poverty situation in Uganda from 34% in 1999/2000 to 38% in 2002/03 has been mainly attributed to a slowdown in agricultural production as compared to other sectors over the period. The Poverty Eradication Action Plan also identifies other causes of poverty as; decline in prices of agricultural products, insecurity, high birth and death rate, and regional and gender differences in regard to participation in income generating activities. For the Northern and parts of the Eastern Uganda, the impact of the war has been partially devastating.

Onyang M. explained in NUSAF Newsletter March 27, 2007, that women are vulnerable human species that need emancipation and said that it is for this reason that the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) in its inception designed a component to address the needs for vulnerability class of persons in its operational area.
With NUSAF fund given to one of the women group in Adjumani district, the women of Mocope village constructed a community center worth 35 million Uganda shilling to enable them carry out activities that can help them generate income and reduce poverty that is rampant in their locality. Chairperson of the Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) explained that the rural women would be trained to acquire skills in tailoring, cookery adult literacy and home management in order to improve their livelihoods.
The World Bank, the Government of Japan, and the Uganda Government signed a Japanese grant agreement of US$1.6 million on September 11, 2003 that is intended to support capacity building of vulnerable youth in the 18 districts of Northern Uganda as explained in the News Release No.2003/004/UG of PEAP
This grant aims to equip vulnerable youth to be productive, lead normal and profitable lives in their communities and contribute to peace, using extensive community participation and culturally sensitive approaches. It targeted disadvantaged youth, such as the internally displaced, those that have laid down guns and returned home, youth out of school, who have lost educational and employment opportunities due to extreme poverty and civil insurgency.
Mr. John J. Oloya, a World Bank Official, commented that this program will initiate rapid response, provide innovative solutions, with extensive participation and inputs from targeted groups to redress the effects of economic and social insecurity, aimed to improve livelihoods and the future of Northern Uganda's youth. He further stated that the grant which was to be implemented by World Vision Uganda on behalf of the government of Uganda would complement two major components of Northern Uganda Social Action Fund: the Community Reconciliation and Support to Vulnerable Groups.

The Revised Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) is Uganda’s comprehensive Development Framework. The PEAP has guided the formulation of government policy since its inception in 1997. Under this plan, Uganda is being transformed into a modern economy in which agents in all sectors can participate in economic growth. This implied a number of conditions:
The economy required structural transformation, including the modernization of agriculture and the development of industries which build on demand and supply linkages from agriculture.
The poor must be able to participate in this growth, both by expanding smallholder agriculture and by expanding employment in industry and services, as well as in rural non farm enterprises.
The economic growth must be sustainable.
Provided these conditions are met, poor people benefit from economic growth through increased incomes from self-employment, from increased incomes from wage employment, and from improved services delivered by state and community.

Thomas W. & Maurizio G. in their report on the World Bank Technical Paper No. 407 entitled “Designing Rules for Demand-Driven Rural Investment Funds” (DRIF) reported that, the demand-driven rural investment fund (DRIF) is a new mechanism for decentralizing decision making authority and financial resources to local governments and communities to use for investments of their choice. This will allow the communities to participate in selecting the type of project they want and get involved in decision making. It will also help to counteract the local government's weak capacity to choose and implement projects well, and to limit central governments efforts that normally constrained the choices of communities by limiting the types of projects eligible for financing and requiring specific procedures for procurement and disbursement. This study explores the extent to which well-designed DRIF rules and incentive structures can substitute for central control. It looks at the different and often conflicting motivations of donors, central governments, and communities and explores how rules can be devised to allow actors to achieve their objectives.

The Sunday Vision, January, 2008, page 22, the Chairman Local Council five Mr. Ojur Franco was quoted when saying that “the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund, a World Bank and the Uganda Government Funded programme has registered a greater impact by addressing shortage of infrastructure in schools in Lira district.
A number of schools and health centres have benefited from new structures since the project became effective in 2004. Both Community Development Initiative (CDI) and Vulnerable Group Support (VGS) sub projects performed well and the impact have been felt by the beneficiaries.
Initially many schools in the district did not have adequate classrooms with pupils studying under trees, but now pupils are using structures constructed by NUSAF funds.
He further said that the “level of poverty had been so high in the district as a result of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) conflict, but because of the project, a slight reduction has been experienced although a lot needs to be done to fight poverty.”
He however noted that, with the challenges that NUSAF faced in the implementation, there is need for all the authorities in the district to get involved in the monitoring and supervision of the projects to minimize failure and mismanagement by the members.

The New Vision, Tuesday, January 22, 2008, the Chairman Local Council five Mr. Ismael Orot noted that the local authorities in their mobilization for the NUSAF project sensitized the community to take NUSAF as a good project.
The community therefore, saw NUSAF as a direct relief ad the majority have commended that it is the most successful project ever brought by the government. The project has improved the welfare of the people and people’s capacities to manage bigger funds have greatly improved.
The teachers’ houses constructed were of better quality than those under the Local Government Development Programme.
The project has therefore proved that the community once mobilized and allowed to use their own talents can deliver quality service more effectively. It is imperative that the donors at this stage can start dealing directly with the community

The New Vision, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 page 18, the Northern Uganda Social Action Funds (NUSAF) District Technical Officer (NDTO) Benjamin Ogunia, commented that the introduction of NUSAF in 2003 marked the genesis of tremendous improvement in the livelihoods of communities in Soroti District especially after the bitter experience of civil strife and cattle raids by the Karamajong, which had left the communities immersed in dire poverty and haplessness.
Mr. Stephen Ochola the district local council five chairman says NUSAF has bailed his people out of abject poverty. He said that NUSAF has restocked livestock after the cattle raids and various rebel wars that affected Soroti, Construction of classrooms, teachers’ houses has helped to support education sector in the district, many boreholes have been drilled leading to high water coverage, community roads have been constructed and in some cases widened giving easy access within the communities.
However, both Ochola and Omuge the CAO maintain that the government and the World Bank should fund NUSAF phase II because there is still a lot of demand from the communities. Ochola said “This is the only programme that has directly benefited the poor”.

The New Vision, Friday, January 25 2008, “NUSAF Kitgum emphasizes accountability of funds”. The district Local council five chairman of Kitgum Mr. Komakech was reported to have said that “NUSAF project is one of the best projects that have benefited the people of northern Uganda. It is community driven, unlike other programmes designed from Kampala or Washington”.
Here the community looks at their needs then develops ideas on how best they can be helped. Health centres, staff houses, schools and so forth were built with NUSAF funds. We also have some community halls built and people are able to hold meetings, unlike in the past when they used to meet under trees. Above all there are people who got animals and this has improved their lives. He further noted that the authorities must design a mechanism incase of any other phase of NUSAF to empower the poor and help them get ox-ploughs.
However, he said that there are some problems where the information only reached the elite and those in towns and trading centres who were able to write and raise the projects and get funds. Besides having no basic requirements for one to be enrolled as a community facilitator, there were problems where sub-projects were allocated, and some sub-counties benefited more than others

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents a description of the research design and the methods that was used in carrying out the study. It explains the data source, research design, procedures of data collection, techniques used to select the samples and the study population, data collection tools. It also highlights the statistical tools used in data presentation, processing and analysis.

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

The researcher used statistical tables to help in data presentation; he then used both descriptive and analytical research design in an attempt in the data analysis. Descriptive research design was used to explain the relationship between the NUSAF and the level of economic development basing on the numbers and the percentages as obtained from the various tables. The results were used to explain the contribution of the project to the socio-economic development and standards of living among the communities within the study area.
Analytical research design was used to determine the relationship between the level economic development and NUSAF project funds given out to the communities using the correlation coefficient calculated from the different data collected in the study. It was also used to determine the relationship between the purposes for the introduction of this project and benefits received by the communities in this area.

3.2 PROCEDURES OF DATA COLLECTION

Personal interviews and discussions with key executives in NUSAF district office and some staff from among the implementing agencies were conducted to get important information from about the project. A set of questionnaires were distributed to both the staff of NUSAF and the implementing agencies to get their responses to the designed set of questions. They were selected by mean of purposeful sampling method so as to get the members who have good information on NUSAF project.
Another set of questionnaire were given to the community beneficiaries where the researcher used systematic sampling techniques to select the sub projects to be included in his study from the district data base in NUSAF office. He then selected the respondents from the groups using simple random sampling.
The NUSAF quarterly report provided the main data base on areas of project application received, project funded and those that have been completed. Some of the tables, notes are used in the analysis of the study report.

3.3 SAMPLES AND SUBJECTS SELECTIONS

The researcher targeted the beneficiary communities within the four (4) parishes in Kitgum town council, the management of NUSAF and the officials from the implementing agencies (NGOs) who have been working together with the communities to make sure the projects were successful.
A total of twenty (20) questionnaires were distributed to respondents from the NUSAF district offices and the implementing agencies using purposeful sampling techniques. These were selected and included in the study because of their knowledge of the project and its benefits to the communities. They were therefore known to be placed in good position of responsibilities to provide the researcher with good information on the productivity/benefit or failure of the project.
The researcher selected four (4) sub projects from each of the parishes and five (5) members of the groups to responds to the questionnaire, giving a total of twenty (20) respondents from each parish and eighty (80) in totals from the beneficiary communities which the researcher considered to be an effective representative of the beneficiary communities in the study area. Therefore the total respondents intended for this study purpose was 100, with 20 from the officials and 80 from the beneficiary communities.
3.4 RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

The questionnaires, interview and observations methods were used by the researcher as the appropriate tools for data collection in this study. The views and perceptions as per the benefits or otherwise of the project were obtained from the respondents using both the questionnaires and interview methods because other tools such as observation could not give the researcher a true implication of facts on the ground. The questionnaires were designed to include the NUSAF officers, implementing agencies and the beneficiary communities in the study area. Observation was however, used to recognize physical structures put in places and animals acquired by the beneficiary communities as the result of the money received from NUSAF.

3.5 DATA PRESENTATION

The data collected were coded, edited, tallied and summarized in form of relevant statistical tables, appropriate measures of relationship such as percentages were calculated and included in the tables to portray clearer meanings.
In the presentation, the researcher arranged the data according to the research objective each questions was set to answer. This therefore gave the researcher an organize data ready for analysis and interpretation.

3.6 DATA ANALYSIS

The summarized data put in statistical tables were made ready for analysis and presentation. Percentages were used to explain some obvious relationship between categories set in the questionnaires as given by the respondents.
Statistical methods or techniques such as rank correlation coefficient for determining the relationship was applied. The directions and the magnitudes of the relationship between the variables in the study were determined.

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS

INTRODUCTION
This is the chapter where the researcher has discussed the presentation, analysis and interpretation of the results of the data collected using the tools employed.

The results of the study on the contribution of Northern Uganda Social Action Funds (NUSAF) on the socio-economic development among the communities of Northern Uganda case study Kitgum Town Council between 2003-2007 and assessing whether NUSAF had any impact on livelihood of the communities and economic development in the area.

Descriptive statistics were mainly used in the analysis of the study results although some correlation coefficients were also calculated. Data were collected by means of questionnaires and in some cases through discussion with the NDTO to find out how far NUSAF has reached in its project implementation. Through questionnaires, the study results were tabulated as indicated in the tables. Eighty (80) questionnaires were distributed to the beneficiary communities, twenty (20) questionnaires per parish given to four different sub projects within each parish.
Out of the eighty questionnaires, seventy five (75) were collected which contributed 93.8% of the questionnaires distributed and five (5) which is 6.2% of the questionnaires were not collected.

Twenty questionnaires were given to the NUSAF Officials and members of the implementing agencies. Five copies of the questionnaires were given to key informants in the offices which constituted 25.0% of the questionnaires meant for the officials. Fifteen questionnaires were given to the implementing agencies which were identified by NUSAF to help the local communities in the implementation of their sub projects. All the (20) questionnaires meant for the staff were collected giving 100% return rate in this category.
However, the overall percentage of the questionnaires collected back from both the beneficiaries and the officials was 95.0%.
The results of the findings are analyzed according to the questions raised in the questionnaires. Some personal information about the respondents were analyzed using percentages while particular responses were used analytical purposes using rank correlation coefficient to determine the relationship between NUSAF project and the level of economic development.

4.1.1 SOCIO DEMOGRAPHIC DATA OF RESPONDENTS

Table: 1A Showing the number of male and female respondents among the beneficiaries

Sex Frequency Percentage
Male 32 42.7%
Female 43 57.3%
Total 75 100%
Source: Primary Data

Out of the total questionnaires collected from the beneficiaries, there were more female than male with 43 (57.3%) as compared to 32 (42.7%) as seen in table 1A.
As obtained through interview and discussion with the NDTO, many of the women in this area had no formal employment to allow them earn some form of income. This made them the subject of poverty and therefore look for any opportunity that may come their way for survival. This was then taken as part of the reasons why there were more women among these beneficiary communities than men.

Table: 1B showing the age brackets of the beneficiary respondents
Category Frequency Percentage
15 – 30 42 56%
31 - 45 18 24%
46 – 60 10 13.3%
61 and above 5 6.7%
Total 75 100%
Source: Primary Data

According to the age bracket as seen in Table 1B however, 42 (56%) where in the group of 15-30, 18 (24%) in the age bracket of 31-45, 10 (13.3%) in the group of 46-60 and only 5 (6.7%) were more that 60 years of age.
Here there was an indication that the middle age groups were the majority. This was explained by NDTO that the nature of NUSAF project procedures needed the people who can read and write because of filling in many forms and minutes’ writing before a community group is given the fund, this left out many old people and the very young ones. Besides this condition, for one to response to these designed questionnaires, there was need for one to know how to read and write. This can helps to explain the majority of the youthful/middle age group among the respondents.

Table: 1C showing the occupations of the beneficiary respondents
Category Frequency Percentage
Trader 25 33.3%
Farmer 30 40.0%
Service Officer 5 6.7%
Others 15 20.0%
Total 75 100%
Source: Primary Data

In terms of the occupation, many respondents were farmers with 30 (40%) people answering the questionnaires, followed by traders 25 (33.3), other groups were 15 (20%) while service officer were only 5 (6.7%) as indicated in Table 1C.
This was explained by the objective of NUSAF of targeting the poor people in the area. These farmers are mostly the people who where displaced by the LRA war from the rural farm land and are settling in the town council. The traders however, are mainly the small scale retail business people and the other categories include students, vocational training and rehabilitation centers that benefited from NUSAF project funds.

Table: 1D Sources of information about NUSAF
Category Number Percentages
Friends 14 18.6%
Facilitators 3 4.0%
Radio 56 74.7%
Local Council 2 2.7%
Total 75 100%
Source: Primary data

From the questionnaires collected, all the respondents heard about NUSAF project with 56 (74.7%) of the respondents getting the information through the radio, 14 (18.7%) from friends, 3 (4.0%) from the community facilitators and only 2(2.6%) got the information from the Local council. These trends of responses could be explained by the massive campaign over the radio when NUSAF project was being introduced. Before the training of community facilitators to go and sensitized their people about opportunity much were said over the radio about NUSAF.

Table: 1E showing whether the communities were sensitized about NUSAF
Category Frequency Percentages
Yes 69 92%
No 6 8%
Source: Primary data

The CPMC of the groups whose sub-project managed to pass through both desk appraisal and field appraisal, were then called for formal briefing/trainings on how to go about with their project implementation. This was reflected in the responses of 69 (92%) respondents who said that they received some formal briefing or education from NUSAF officials and implementing agencies leaving only 6 (8%) who responded to the contrary. This could be due to the sampling procedures used in selecting who should be included in the study, hence resulting in group members who did not attend the briefing. However, everybody who received the briefing responded that it was relevant to their own sub projects. This was in line with NUSAF’s strategies of making the different community groups select the project of their priority needs that they are capable of implementing.
4.1.2 PURPOSE FOR NUSAF PROJECT

Table: 2A showing frequency count for the beneficiary responses to the different questions
Question
Yes No Don’t Know To alleviate poverty/increased income To improve economic/ access to basic facilities Because of LRA war//Reconciliation All the above Total
6
0 0 35 25 5 10 75
7
0 0 40 14 2 19 75
8 58 11 6 0 0 0 0 75
9 65 8 2 0 0 0 0 75
Total 123 19 8 75 39 7 29 300
Source: Primary Data

Table: 3 showing frequency count for NUSAF official responses
Question
Yes No To increase income To alleviate poverty It’s a recovery programme All the above Easy access to schools, health centres and water

3
0
0
12
7
1
0
0

4
20
0
0
0
0
0
0

5 0
0
14
0
0
6
0

8
5
15
0
0
0
0
0

Total
23
15
26
7
1
6
0
Source: Primary Data

As seen in Table 2A question number six, 35 (46.7%) of the community respondents, said that NUSAF was introduced to alleviate poverty from among the community, while 25 (33.3%) responded that it was introduced to improve the economic development in the area, 5 (6.7%) however said that it was introduced because of the LRA war in northern Uganda and 10 (13.3%) of them said that the project was introduced because of all the above conditions i.e. poverty alleviation, economic development and due to the was in the sub-region.

According to the responses of NUSAF officials and some staff from the implementing agencies as seen in Table 3, a total of 19 (95%) respondents said that the project was introduced to alleviate poverty and increase household income in the hands of the communities leaving only 1 (5%) who responded that it was a recovery programme brought in due to the prolonged LRA insurgency in the area to enable the communities catch up with other parts of the country in areas of socio-economic development.

The above questions 6 and 7 from the community questionnaire in table 2A was used by the researcher to determine the purpose for the introduction of NUSAF and its contribution to the economic development in the area using Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient (r) to determine whether there is any relationship between NUSAF and economic development.

Table: 2B Data used to calculate the correlation coefficient
Responses Q6 (X) Q7 (Y) Rx Ry D D2
A 35 40 1 1 0 0
B 25 14 2 3 -1 1
C 5 2 4 4 0 0
D 10 19 3 2 1 1
N = 4 75 75 0 2
Source: Primary Data

Using the above data the correlation coefficient was calculated using the following formula for Spearman Rank Coefficient Correlation (r): r = 1 - 6∑D2 N (N2-1) r = 1 - 6 x 2
4(42-1)
r = 1 - 12 = 1 - 1 60 5 r = 0. 8
The result of the rank correlation coefficient shows that there is a very high positive correlation of 0.8 between NUSAF and economic development in the area basing on the responses of the beneficiary communities selected for study.
This therefore indicates that the introduction of NUSAF has helped the communities in terms of; increasing their level of income, improved access to basic facilities like clean water, schools and community centres were constructed road network were constructed in the area connecting places to ease access to these basic facilities.

The result of the correlation above was the confirmation of the total of 60 (80%) responses on poverty eradication and economic development in relation to the project contributions in increasing household incomes and improving the level of economic development in the area with 54 (72%) of the beneficiaries confirming the high positive correlation. All the respondents to the staff questionnaire however responded that NUSAF has definitely benefited the communities by increasing their income, alleviation of poverty, improve access to safe water, good road network in the areas and many schools structures and staff houses were constructed.

4.1.3 CONTRIBUTION OF NUSAF PROJECT

In the same table 2A question seven, 40 (53.3%) of the community respondents said that their level of household income improve with the introduction of NUSAF project in their areas, while 14 (18.7%) responded that the level of economic development in the area has improved with easy access to safe water points, many roads were constructed, schools and community centres were constructed using NUSAF project funds. Only 2 (2.7%) said reconciliation messages were passed to the community and 19 (25.3%) responded that NUSAF was meant for all the three conditions above.
Also as indicated in table 2A question nine, 65 (86.7%) of the respondents, agreed that they have benefited from the NUSAF project with 8 (10.7%) saying they have not benefited and only 2 (2.7%) said they actually don’t know whether they have benefited or not.
The researcher therefore has used their responses on whether they have benefited NUSAF in comparison to the project intended goals of poverty alleviation and improvement in economic development in the area.

Table: 2C Data used to determine the relationship between the project goals and benefited received.
Responses Q8 (X) Q9 (Y) Rx Ry D D2
A 58 65 1 1 0 0
B 6 8 3 2 1 1
C 11 2 2 3 -1 1
N = 4 75 75 0 2
Source: Primary data

Using the above data the correlation coefficient was calculated using the following formula for Spearman Rank Coefficient Correlation (r): r = 1 - 6∑D2 N (N2-1) r = 1 - 6 x 2
3(32-1)
r = 1 - 12 = 1 - 1 24 2 r = 0. 5
The result of the rank correlation coefficient shows that there is a moderate positive correlation of 0.5 on the goals of NUSAF and the benefits received by the communities in the area study.
This therefore indicates that the goals of NUSAF as intended for at the initial stage has benefited the communities in the study area in terms of; increasing their level of income, improved access to basic facilities like clean water, schools and road network connecting people with one another.

Further more as seen in Table 3, NUSAF officials and staffs from the implementing agencies responded by saying that the project had led to the increased level of income i.e.14 (70%), while 6 (30%) said that NUSAF has lead to all the conditions stated in the questionnaire by increasing the level of income, alleviation of poverty and in the recovery programme for development purposes.

The literature written by Andrew Shepherd (1998), in his report Rural Sustainable Development, argued that funds given to rural population as a start up capital generated greater demands which was the key to balance and sustainable rural economic growth and food supply. He further said that generation of income earning opportunities had improved access to services for the people and positive participation in development process in Northern region and reduction of poverty level.

The correlation coefficients calculated above reflected the trends of events as indicated in some of the following components of NUSAF activities.

Under community development initiative (CDI), by the end of 2006, 1,897 subprojects were funded and were at various degree of completion. Of these 1,184 were completed, constituting 62.6% of the total number funded. Below is a bar-chart showing the completed subprojects, by sector

Fig 1: Cumulative Number of Completed Subprojects, by Sector Source: NUSAF quarterly report October-December 2006

Health
Out of the total 100 subprojects funded under health by the end of December 2006, only 35 were completed. A cumulative total of 43 health units, 44 units of staff houses, 9 wards, 3 fences and 1 health campaign were financed in the health sector, all at varying stages of completion. Of these 26 health units, 9 wards and 7 units of staff houses are complete. Although these give a percentage of only 35% as the rate of completion, it is estimated that about 1,825,090 (365,018 households) people have access to improved health services from the completed subprojects. This is in line with the government health sector target of 80% of the population having access to a health unit within 5km distance as well as the MDG goals of reducing child mortality and improving maternal health.

Fig. 2: Showing the Funded Subprojects in Health Sector and those completed Source: NUSAF quarterly report October-December 2006
The rest of the subprojects were still at their various stages of completion during the time of producing this quarterly report from the office of the prime minister.

Education
NUSAF had financed a cumulative total of 1,064 classrooms, 840 staff units, 6 libraries, 26 dormitories, 54 science laboratories. Of these 632 classrooms, 289 staff units, 3 libraries and 9 science laboratories had been completed. In addition 1,260 desks and 21 classrooms for vocational training centres (VTC) were completed. Taking an average of 54 pupils per classroom, the completed education facilities are expected to be serving about 41,902 pupils and 578 teachers.

Table: 4 Summary of potential contribution of NUSAF support to the education sector
Facility No. Funded No. Completed Immediate Beneficiary Potential beneficiaries
Classrooms 1,064 632 34,128 170,640
Libraries 6 3 240 1,200
Desks 1,260 1,260 3,780 18,900
Dormitories 26 26 2,080 10,400
Science Labs 54 9 540 2,700
Staff houses 840 289 578 2,890
VTC 21 21 1,134 5,670
Total 42,480 212,400
Source: NUSAF quarterly report October-December 2006

As indicated in the table above the completion rate of the subprojects under education stands at 68% which would provide services to 42,480 immediate beneficiaries and 212,400 potential beneficiaries in the areas.
David Ssengendo also reported in NUSAF Nwesletter of Friday 19 March 2007, that Pallisa district had exhibited considerable performance in implementing CDIs under which the schools, health centres and the roads fall.

Water
Through the NUSAF project, most communities in Northern Uganda now have access to safe and clean drinking water for both human and animal consumption. Of the total 525 funded water facilities, 451 boreholes, 2 protected springs, 2 piped water extensions and 1 dam were completed and in use, currently servicing a population of approximately 727,500 people. This has reduced the distances to be covered to the water point by the community.

Fig. 3 Showing Water subprojects completed by the end of Dec.2006 Source: NUSAF quarterly report October-December 2006

Also related to water is sanitation where 140 VIP/Pit Latrines were funded, seeing 700 latrines stances in place serving a population of 21,000 persons. This has improved latrine coverage in these areas and reduced threats of cholera and other diseases.

Vulnerable Groups Support
The Vulnerable Groups Support (VGS) component uses targeted interventions in a participatory, equitable and sustainable manner to reduce vulnerability among disadvantage individuals and groups within the communities in Northern Uganda. It used the strategy of working through the local authorities, civil society and other institutions such as NAADS, WFP with the aim of enhancing effective delivery of services to communities in the project area.
The unit has made conscious efforts to respond to the increasing poverty through the key intervention areas such as; income generating activities in support of vulnerable people, vocational skills training, family support structure, time and labour serving technologies and counseling & psychosocial support. This gives the number of VGS subprojects funded since inception to 3,395 amounting to Uganda shilling 34,739,679,845.
The unit has registered a completion rate of 78.4% of all the subprojects under VGS reaching 139,867 direct beneficiaries including; 8,177 orphans, 2001 foster parents, 49,003 youth, 11,391 female headed households, 54,765 internally displaced persons (IDPs),5,199 elderly, 2,567 people with disabilities (PWD), 3,247 HIV/AIDS, and 3,517 formerly abducted children.

4.1.4 ROBLEMS FACED BY NUSAF PROJECT

The respondents though were very appreciative to both the government of Uganda and the World Bank for their support during this time of difficulties, they pointed out some of the following problems faced during the project implementation;
a) Lack of sensitization by the community mobilizers especially as per the modalities to be followed in raising the sub project to life, maintenance and accountability on the side of the communities.
b) There was problem of corruption among the NUSAF official where the staff would ask for money from the community so as to make their project be approved. There were also some cases where the CPMC, of some groups could disappear with the funds meant for the group.
c) To the groups in animal restocking, diseases and drought affected the running and maintenance of their sub-projects. In some instances some of the animals were also taken by the Karamojong cattle raiders from the groups.
d) Most people complained that the project was meant to take care of the elite classes who were able to write and rise up the project leaving the very poor, illiterate without any mean of survival.
e) Follow-up of the sub-project by the district officials and NUSAF district team was not always done. This encouraged corruption and lack of accountability on the side of the CPMC.
World Development Reports 2004 argues that services can be improved by putting poor people at the centre of service provision by enabling them to monitor and disciplines service providers.

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

INTRODUCTI0ON

This chapter will discuss, concludes and gives recommendation on the findings of NUSAF projects in the study area.
The summary of this research was based on the findings as presented and analyzed in chapter. The conclusion will be based on the findings and recommendation will be given to enhance the management of any other project like NUSAF that will be introduced by the government of Uganda.

5.1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

In an effort to determine the contribution of NUSAF project since its inception in 2003 to 2007, the results of the study carried out in Kitgum Town Council can be summarized as follows;

From the four parishes in the town council, the results revealed that most beneficiary believed that the introduction of this project have greatly contributed to poverty alleviation and the improvement of standards of living within the beneficiary communities.
There was general acceptance that individual households income had increased compared to past years prior to the project. Some beneficiaries highlighted the general improvement in the level of economic development within the area with very many schools, health centres and vocational training centres benefiting from the project. Roads networks, community halls were constructed and many safe water points were put in place. The construction of these facilities provided employment for the population in these areas, facilitated easy movement and provision of safe water to the communities.

The results of the correlation coefficient calculated revealed that there was positive relationship between the reasons for the introduction of NUSAF project and the benefits received by the communities. These were confirmed by NUSAF project reports as indicated in some of the sectors seen in the analysis.

Given the conditions as provided by the respondents and the results of the correlation coefficients coupled with other benefits, the researcher’s own view is that, the communities within the study area have benefited from NUSAF project although many were requesting for another phase to enable them recover fully from the adverse conditions they were in.

5.2 CONCLUSION

In view of the findings of the research as pointed out in chapter four, the following are the conclusions
The benefits gained from NUSAF project to the communities in Kitgum Town Council was a direct impact for the goals and objectives for the introduction of the project by the World Bank and the government of Uganda. The correlation efficient calculated was an indication that there was positive relationship between NUSAF and its benefits to the communities.
These were evidenced in the following ways;

The individual household level of income increased allowing them to meat some of the basic necessities of life, able to take their children to school. There is increased access to safe water sources which were constructed using NUSAF funds given to the communities.

There has been great improvement in school structures and health centres in these areas where many school buildings, health units and staff houses were constructed using the funds received from NUSAF project.

Many road networks have been opened using the funds provided by NUSAF to the communities. This has led to increased accessibility to social centres and connecting villages to one another.

Further conclusion in term of gains is that of acquisition of skills and knowledge in project management and some vocational skills obtained by the communities.

5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS

From the research findings in chapter four, the researcher realized that NUSAF project has created a significant impact on the people of Kitgum Town Council. These Impacts were seen in terms of; increased income, provision of safe water sources, school buildings, health centres and staff houses were provided among others.
The researcher would therefore like to provide the following recommendations in regards to the projects so as to uplift the general objectives as per the World Bank and the government of Uganda.

The management should ensure that proper modalities of monitoring the performance be put in place to avoid cases of corruption in such project and allocation of funds to relatives as it was the case in most areas.

More capacity building trainings should be provided to the community members to enable them manage such funds and the project effectively. It is up on this that the projects achievement can be clearly seen.

With the achievements available, the researcher would recommend that the project be extended or another phase of the funds be given. This will help Uganda in achieving the millennium development goals.

Further more the researcher would like recommend that more sensitization about the project activities be increased so as to create awareness of the needs for poverty eradication.

To the government, the researcher would like to request to total participation of both the district authorities and the central government in monitoring the implementation of the projects.

The recommendation of the researcher to the beneficiaries would be that, they should put much commitments and work tirelessly for the betterment of their livelihood and the development of their area. Those sensitized should also learn to disseminate the knowledge to others so as to wipe out ignorance.

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Making Services Work for Poor People World Development report (November 2004).World Bank English Paperback 288, http://publications.worldbank.org

Northern Uganda Social Action Fund project Operational Manual, (April 2004), Prepared by office of the Prime Minister, Kampala.

Ojangole S. (2007 September 28), Northern Uganda Social Action Fund is a success story in Kumi district The New Vision, Friday, page 13;

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Wokorach O. (2008 January 25) NUSAF Kitgum Emphasizes Accountability of Funds New Vision Friday.