Reflecting on Implementation from the Perspective of the Public Value Theory: The Context of SDGs in Uganda’s Local Government System

Abstract

Uganda is translating respective Sustainable Development Goals into her development aspirations, policies and national plans of action in an effort to build economic growth and address other social needs. In the same pursuit, various social policies have been designed and being implemented. Whereas there is mounting theoretical optimisms, rhetoric and excitement about the significance of the SDGs in Uganda, the knowledge about their effective implementation is still at infancy. Uganda’s Local government system is argued to be well placed to play a central role in implementing the objectives and targets for all the goals. Within the theoretical lens of public value and innovative citizen participation, the article provides knowledge and insights for the effective SDG implementation in local governments. Focusing on key theoretical texts and secondary sources, the paper explores and attempts to reconcile SDG policy their interventions and implementation. The paper concludes that shared public values will attract innovative citizen participation in determining the SDGs portfolio at community levels and enhance implementation by providing an insight of what is important to the citizens and how to connect with them. The Public Value Theory approaches suggested in this article may not necessarily be new, but offers insights and highly valuable innovation spaces in the design and implementation of SDGs interventions in local governments.