The efficacy of Merit-based Recruitment in Amolatar district in Northern Uganda

Authors

  • Bruno Ocwer Lira University, Uganda
  • Victor Okuna Lira University, Uganda
  • David Mwesigwa Lira University, Uganda

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47941/hrlj.2405

Keywords:

Recruitment, merit-based, meritocracy, local government, system

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the success of merit-based recruitment in Amolatar District Local Government Administration, Uganda.

Methodology: A case-study research design was adopted backed by quantitative and qualitative analysis that involved a careful and in-depth investigation of a particular unit or events under study for the purposes of generalization. It was conducted in Amolatar District. We chose this area because merit-based recruitment had failed as a result of weak decision-making processes by the district service communion and the influence-peddling by political leaders in the district. We took a sample of 60 respondents and interviewed 52 respondents living within the District Headquarters and in Amolatar Town Council.

Findings: The results revealed that the success of merit-based recruitment in Local Government Administration is very essential in terms of stakeholder responsibility, enhancing citizen confidence in the local government institution, and enabling the district service commission to recruit the best human resources for the provision of quality service. 

Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study is central as it strengthens the merit-based recruitment model over and above other models of recruitment as well as enabling local governments to prioritize meritocracy over political patronage in every staff recruitment cycle.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Bruno Ocwer, Lira University, Uganda

BA Public Administration and Management

Victor Okuna, Lira University, Uganda

MA Public Administration and Management

David Mwesigwa, Lira University, Uganda

Assoc. Prof. Administration and Management

References

Adu-Darkoh, M. (2014). Employee Recruitment and Selection Practice in The Construction Industry in Ashanti region.

Ahlerup, P., Baskaran, T., & Bigsten, A. (2016). Government impartiality and sustained growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. World Development, 83, 54-69.

Amusan, L. (2016). Spoils and meritocracy: post-Apartheid challenges in the South African public service. Journal of Public Administration, 51, 293-305.

Ekiyor, H.A 2009 “corruption in Local Government Administration: An Historical summary” as found in Local Government Administration in Nigeria: Old and New Vision.

Cole, G.A. 2005. Personnel and Human Resource Management Book Power.

IARCSC. (2018). Activity Report 2017-2018. Kabul. Afghanistan

Flippo, E.B. 1984. Personnel Management. Sixth Edition, New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company.

Kickert, W (1997). Public Management in the United States and Europe, Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.

McCourt, W (2007). The Merit System and Integrity in the Public Service, Public Integrity and Anti-corruption in the Public Service Conference: Bucharest, May 29-30. Available at http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/27/51/39254857.pdf

Meyer-Sahling, J. H. et al. (2019). Merit recruitment in the Western Balkans: An evaluation of change between 2015 and 2019. Danilovgrad: ReSPA Publications.https://forskning.ruc.dk/en/publications/merit-recruitment-in-the western-balkans-an-evaluation-of-change.

Muralidharan, K (2015), “A New Approach to Public Sector Hiring in India for Improved Service Delivery”, UC San Diego, NBER, NCAER, and J-PAL Working Paper, Brookings- NCAER India Policy Forum.

Sukhtankar, S and M Vaishnav (2015), “Corruption in India: Bridging Research Evidence and Policy Options”, Brookings-NCAER India Policy Forum.

Pew Research Center. (2014). Global attitudes and trends: Spring 2014 questionnaire. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center.

Rebecca Simson; 2015. Patronage or Meritocracy? Public Sector Employment in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda after Independence.

Smalskys V & Urbanovic J (2017). Civil service systems. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics 8(18): 21–38.

Sigma (2018b). Managerial accountability in the Western Balkans: A comparative analysis of the barriers and opportunities faced by senior managers in delivering policy objectives. SIGMA Papers, no. 58. Paris. OECD

Stojanović-Gajić, S. (2018). Security issues in the Western Balkans. Belgrade Centre for Security Policy.https://www.balkanfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Security_Issues.pdf.

UNDP Global Centre for Public Service Excellence. (2015). Meritocracy for public service excellence. Retrieved from www.undp.org/content/ dam/undp/library/capacity.../Meritocracy-PSE.pdf?).

Public Service Commission of Samoa 2017). A policy to guide merit-based Recruitment

Zungura M. (2014). Understanding new public management with in the context of Zimbabwe. International Review of Social Sciences and Humanities 6(2): 246–253. Selection

Downloads

Published

2024-12-17

How to Cite

Ocwer, B., Okuna, V., & Mwesigwa, D. (2024). The efficacy of Merit-based Recruitment in Amolatar district in Northern Uganda. Human Resource and Leadership Journal, 9(4), 53–73. https://doi.org/10.47941/hrlj.2405

Issue

Section

Articles