Factors Influencing Citizen Participation in Mitaa Meetings in Tanzania: Experience from Ubungo Municipal Council.

Justine, Goodluck (2025) Factors Influencing Citizen Participation in Mitaa Meetings in Tanzania: Experience from Ubungo Municipal Council. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The main objective of the study was to explore the factors influencing citizen participation in Mitaa meetings in Ubungo Municipal Council, Tanzania. The specific objectives of the study were to examine citizens' perceptions of Mitaa meetings, shed light on the reasons behind low citizen participation, and identify efforts in place to improve citizen participation in Mitaa meetings. The study was informed and guided by the theory A Ladder of Citizen Participation, proposed by Sherry Phyllis Arnstein in 1969. Among other insights, this theory outlines eight levels of citizen participation and highlights the challenges citizens face in achieving meaningful involvement in public affairs that affect them. This was a qualitative study, with data collected from 70 respondents through document reviews and in-depth, face-to-face interviews conducted in 5 out of 14 wards and 10 out of 90 Mitaa in Ubungo Municipal Council. The findings indicated that Mitaa meetings are important organs for the democratic participation of citizens in decision-making; therefore, citizens support their continuation within Tanzania's local government system. However, while they endorse the meetings, citizens also highlighted areas needing improvement for greater effectiveness. The study identified several reasons for low citizen participation in Mitaa meetings, categorized primarily into two groups: factors related to citizens and those related to Mtaa leadership. These reasons include citizens prioritizing personal interests over community interests, low levels of civic education, irresponsibility among Mtaa leaders, a lack of capacity to influence citizens, exclusion of citizens from agenda formulation, poor transparency and accountability, and the limited powers and authority of Mitaa meetings. On the other hand, the study also identified several efforts currently in place to enhance citizen participation, such as using social media, arts and entertainment, sending bulk SMS messages, dividing Mitaa into smaller segments (zones), engaging influential leaders at the household level, and utilizing religious networks. However, these efforts have not yet yielded the expected results. Given the unsatisfactory outcomes of the efforts applied, the study recommends amending the Local Government (Urban Authorities) Act, Chapter 288, to grant more powers to Mitaa meetings; allocating budgets for the organization of Mitaa meetings; building the capacity of Mtaa leaders; and formally recognizing Mtaa leaders as public servants. Keywords: Local government, Citizen participation, Citizen perception, Mitaa meetings, Decision-making.

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