Strategic Leadership in Action: Resource Allocation and Implementation of Poverty Eradication Programs in Kanungu District, Uganda

This study addresses an empirical gap in understanding how resource allocation influences the implementation of poverty eradication programmes in local Ugandan contexts, where prior research has largely focused on aggregate national-level analyses without considering the efficiency and governance dimensions at district levels. Anchored on the Resource-Based Theory, the study posits that effective utilisation of tangible and intangible resources is critical for achieving developmental outcomes. The study employed a correlational research design and a quantitative approach, targeting a population of 331 stakeholders involved in poverty eradication initiatives in Kanungu District, with a sample size of 181. Primary data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, and the study employed stratified random sampling, proportionate sampling, and simple random sampling techniques to ensure representativeness. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis to examine the relationship between resource allocation and programme implementation. The results reveal that resource allocation has a statistically significant but negative effect on the implementation of poverty eradication programmes in Kanungu District (B = -0.266, p = 0.026), indicating that increased allocation does not automatically translate into improved outcomes, likely due to inefficiencies, mismanagement, or governance challenges. The study concludes that effective poverty eradication requires not only adequate resource provision but also strong institutional oversight, transparent management, and accountability mechanisms. The findings are significant for policymakers, highlighting the need to reform resource distribution processes, strengthen monitoring systems, and ensure that financial allocations are strategically aligned with programme objectives. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence from a district-level context in Uganda, demonstrating that resource allocation, if poorly managed, can impede rather than enhance developmental programme effectiveness.