Exit strategies and sustainable project outcomes in community development projects in Uganda, a case of compassion assisted child development centres in Wakiso district

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of exit strategies on the sustainability of community development projects in Uganda, with specific reference to Compassion-Assisted Child Development Centres (CCDCs) in Wakiso District. The study objectives were to: to assess the influence of phased handover strategies, capacity building, and community participation on the sustainability of community development projects by CCDCs in Wakiso. The study employed a correlational research design with quantitative and qualitative approaches. From a study population of 600, a sample size of 234 respondents was used. Data were collected using questionnaires and an interview guide. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis, and quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) as well as inferential statistics (correlations and regression analysis). The study reveals that phased handover strategies, capacity building, and community participation are crucial factors influencing the sustainability of community development projects by CCDCs in Wakiso district. Notably, phased handover strategies have a strong positive correlation (r = 0.854, p < 0.01) and significant positive influence (B = 0.946, Beta = 0.523, p < 0.001) on project sustainability. Community participation also showed a very strong positive correlation (r = 0.835, p < 0.01) and strong positive influence (B = 0.546, Beta = 0.673, p < 0.001) on sustainability. These findings suggest that effective implementation of these strategies can significantly enhance project sustainability, with community participation being the most influential factor. Effective phased handover and community engagement are key. The study concludes that phased handover strategies, capacity building, and community participation collectively explain 82.5% of the variance in sustainability of community development projects by CCDCs in Wakiso district (R² = 0.825, F = 624.505, p < 0.001). These integrated exit strategies significantly influence project sustainability, underscoring their importance for long-term impact. The study recommends that CCDCs prioritize the development and implementation of phased handover strategies, capacity building initiatives, and community participation to ensure long-term sustainability of community development projects. This can be achieved by establishing clear transition plans, investing in community skills development, and fostering community ownership through regular meetings and inclusive decision-making processes. Additionally, CCDCs should establish robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track effectiveness and make adjustments as necessary to ensure project sustainability.