Public Financial Management (PFM) reforms are widely recognized as a key mechanism for strengthening governance, improving fiscal discipline, and enhancing transparency and accountability in the public sector. Despite their global adoption, the effectiveness of these reforms remains uneven, particularly in developing countries such as Uganda, where implementation challenges continue to limit desired outcomes. This study examined the effect of stakeholder consultation on the effectiveness of Public Financial Management reforms in Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The study was grounded in participatory governance theory and social capital theory, which emphasize the role of inclusive engagement, trust, and collaboration in improving public sector performance. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was adopted. Data were collected from 152 respondents using structured questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis to determine the relationship between stakeholder consultation and PFM reform effectiveness. The descriptive results revealed that respondents generally agreed that stakeholder consultation enhances transparency, accountability, coordination, efficiency, trust, and service delivery in PFM reform processes, with mean scores consistently above 4.0. Inferential statistical results showed a moderate and positive relationship between stakeholder consultation and PFM reform effectiveness (R = 0.549). The regression model indicated that stakeholder consultation explains 30.1% of the variation in PFM reform effectiveness (R² = 0.301), and the model was statistically significant (F = 123.36, p < 0.001). Further regression analysis confirmed that stakeholder consultation has a positive and statistically significant effect on PFM reform effectiveness (B = 0.576, p < 0.001), leading to rejection of the null hypothesis. The study concludes that stakeholder consultation is a significant determinant of Public Financial Management reform effectiveness in Uganda. It establishes that effective consultation enhances transparency, strengthens accountability mechanisms, improves coordination, and promotes more efficient use of public resources. However, challenges remain in ensuring fully institutionalized and consistent consultation practices across all stages of reform implementation. The study recommends that the Ministry of Finance strengthens structured stakeholder consultation mechanisms, enhances feedback integration into decision-making processes, expands inclusive participation across all relevant stakeholder groups, and improves coordination frameworks among key actors involved in PFM reforms. Strengthening these areas is essential for improving the effectiveness and sustainability of public financial management reforms in Uganda.
Public Financial Management, PFM reforms, stakeholder consultation, participatory governance, accountability, transparency, Uganda, quantitative study, reform effectiveness.
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