Stakeholder Engagement in Monitoring and Evaluation and the Performance of the Parish Development Model: Evidence from Kilak North Constituency, Uganda

The Parish Development Model (PDM) is a flagship socio-economic transformation initiative of the Government of Uganda, aimed at accelerating poverty reduction and improving livelihoods through community-driven development at the parish level. This study examined the influence of stakeholder engagement in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) on the performance of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Kilak North Constituency, Uganda. Guided by Empowerment Evaluation Theory, the research adopted a descriptive research design. The study targeted 340 Parish Development Model (PDM) program staff and drawn data from 184 PDM program staff through simple random sampling and 20 key informants purposively sampled. Data collection tools included a structured Likert-scale questionnaire and an interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS version 25, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings reveal that while stakeholder representation across community sectors and commitment from local leaders are relatively strong, active participation, communication, resource support, and grievance redress mechanisms remain weak. The overall composite mean of 3.02 indicates a moderate but uneven level of stakeholder engagement. Inclusivity and leadership provide a foundation for success, yet structural barriers such as inadequate resources, limited transparency, and weak feedback mechanisms, undermine meaningful participation. The study concludes that stakeholder engagement in PDM’s M&E processes is more symbolic than substantive, limiting its potential to enhance accountability, transparency, and program effectiveness. It recommends strengthening communication, expanding capacity-building initiatives, ensuring adequate resourcing, and institutionalizing grievance mechanisms, with particular attention to mitigating elite capture and addressing the post-conflict dynamics of Kilak North. The findings contribute to the literature on participatory governance and provide actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to optimize the PDM’s role in Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Key Words: Stakeholder Engagement, Monitoring and Evaluation, Performance, Parish Development Model