Community Engagement and Water Flow Project Performance in Rwanda: A Case Study of Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) Project in Bugesera District

Modeste Niyihaba & Mburamatare Daniel

University of Kigali

Email: niyimode3030@gmail.com

Abstract: This study explores the influence of community engagement on the performance of the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) project in Bugesera District, Rwanda. It employs the Theory of Social Change, Stakeholder Theory, and Resource-Based View as its theoretical framework. The research specifically examines how community engagement in project planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) impacts the overall performance of WASAC projects in the region. A descriptive research design was employed, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods. The sample consisted of 292 respondents selected from a population of 2,356 through purposive and random sampling techniques. Data was gathered via structured questionnaires and interview guides and analyzed using SPSS software (version 21). Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to assess the relationships between community engagement and project performance. The findings reveal a complex interaction between community engagement and project outcomes. Engagement in M&E practices was found to have a strong positive correlation with project performance (r = 0.728, p < 0.01) This indicates that active community participation in monitoring and evaluating the project significantly enhances its effectiveness. The study concludes that effective community engagement, particularly in M&E, is crucial for enhancing project performance. It is recommended that efforts be focused on strengthening community involvement in M&E processes, addressing challenges in the planning phase, and exploring further research into the long-term effects of community engagement, considering context-specific factors that may influence outcomes.