Influence of staff appraisal on staff performance in local governments in Uganda: a case study of Nyakabande sub-county, Kisoro district, south western Uganda

Abstract

The study examined the influence of staff appraisal on staff performance in Nyakabande Sub- County, Kisoro District, Uganda. The research aimed to assess how the three key components of staff appraisal - performance planning, continuous monitoring, and formal feedback mechanisms - affect various staff performance dimensions, including service delivery quality, timeliness, target achievement, professional conduct, and resource utilization efficiency. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from structured questionnaires with qualitative insights from key informant interviews. The target population consisted of 320 staff and local leaders, from which a sample of 175 respondents was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table. Data collection instruments included questionnaires and interview guides, with validity and reliability confirmed through expert review and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceeding 0.84. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis to examine relationships between variables, complemented by thematic analysis of interview transcripts. The findings indicated that performance planning has a moderate but significant influence on staff performance, with a correlation coefficient of 0.486 and an explanatory power of 23.6%. Continuous monitoring showed a weaker yet significant relationship (r=0.412), accounting for 17% of performance variance, while formal feedback mechanisms demonstrated the strongest link, explaining 28.5% of staff performance variation (r=0.534). Despite challenges such as inadequate implementation and perceptions of bias, the study concludes that enhancing the quality and consistency of appraisal components can significantly improve staff performance. The research recommends strengthening participatory planning, institutionalizing regular, constructive monitoring, and ensuring fair, specific, and timely feedback to foster improved service delivery and organizational efficiency in Nyakabande Sub- County.