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AAD

Agnes Andersson

Professor

AAD

Decentralisation and Legal Pluralism in Small Towns in Uganda

Author

  • Ana Maria Vargas Falla
  • Heather Mackay
  • Agnes Andersson
  • Paul Isolo Mukwaya
  • Frank Mugagga

Summary, in English

Weak decentralization, authoritarianism and limited economic development in small towns in Uganda have been seen as key obstacles to political inclusion. However, small towns in theory also hold hope for political inclusion due to the potential for more direct citizen engagement and flexibility to be able to respond to citizens' needs. Drawing on 58 focus groups, 24 key informant interviews, and three feedback meetings across seven towns, this research reveals persistent exclusion of marginalised groups due to local elite capture, national government dominance, resource constraints, and entrenched corruption. However, the study also identifies instances where flexible law enforcement—in issues such as street vending permits, housing permits, and water and sanitation regulation, has sometimes enabled responsiveness to citizen needs. Using the concept of legal pluralism, this article argues that the flexible application of the law not to allow for kleptocratic practices, but instead for innovative governance from below can enhance political inclusion and better align with the practical needs of citizens.

Department/s

  • Sociology of Law Department
  • LU Profile Area: Nature-based future solutions
  • Department of Human Geography
  • Faculty of Social Sciences

Publishing year

2025-05-22

Language

English

Publication/Series

Public Administration and Development

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Topic

  • Law
  • Political Science (excluding Peace and Conflict Studies)
  • Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Anthropology, Demography and Criminology)

Keywords

  • decentralisation
  • legal pluralism
  • Uganda
  • Urbanisation
  • small towns
  • inclusive development
  • SDG 11
  • urban development
  • Local democracy
  • corruption
  • political inclusion

Status

Published

Project

  • Explaining inclusive lower-level urbanization in Tanzania and Uganda

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1099-162X