Abstract

The primary objective of this investigation was to explore the implementation of decentralization policies and their
impact on the quality of maternal health services in Kihiihi Town Council and Nyanga Sub-county, Kanungu District.
The study was guided by three specific objectives: (1) to ascertain the connection between political decentralization and
the quality of maternal health services in Kihiihi Town Council and Nyanga Sub-county, Kanungu District, (2) to
examine the relationship between financial decentralization and the quality of maternal health services in the same
areas, and (3) to evaluate the relationship between administrative decentralization and the quality of maternal health
services in these regions. The research employed both descriptive cross-sectional and correlational designs and involved
a sample of 235 respondents. Data were gathered using questionnaires and interview guides, and quantitative data were
analyzed using statistical measures like frequencies, percentages, means, correlation, and regression. Qualitative data
were subjected to thematic analysis. The inferential analysis revealed that administrative decentralization exhibited a
weak and statistically insignificant positive relationship with the quality of maternal health services. The study
recommends that the Government of Uganda should implement decentralization policies in the health sector, granting
local governments the necessary authority and funding to manage and operate health facilities, thus enhancing the
quality of maternal health services.