Procurement practices and performance of construction projects in Uganda Police Force.

Abstract

This thesis assessed the contribution of the procurement practices on performance of construction projects in Uganda Police Force. Three objectives were investigated under the study including the contribution of procurement planning, procurement controls and staff training in procurement on construction projects. In the study, a case study design was used employing simple and purposive sampling to select sample elements. This resulted in a sample of 50 staff. A semi structured questionnaire as a data collection instrument was used. Field data was statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and narrative summary analyses. Findings reveal that procurement practices affect performance of construction projects in Uganda Police Force. Specifically, there is a significant positive correlation between procurement planning and performance of construction projects (r = 0.745**, p=0.000<0.01). There is a significant positive correlation between procurement controls and performance of construction projects (r = 0.665**, p=0.000<0.01). A positive correlation between staff training and performance of construction projects (r = 0.545**, p=0.000<0.01). Conclusions are that procurement planning options are developed during strategic planning to ensure value for money whilst procurement controls increases efficiency of the procurement process in terms of quality, time and cost. Staff training in procurement practices on the other hand presents technical skills which involve the ability to maintain a harmonious working group to increase a positive performance in the construction projects. The study recommends that to secure goods and services at competitive prices, it requires procurement planning. Procurement controls minimises losses and improve performance and training procurement staff with clear documented policy guidelines provide effective procurement practices with continuous management commitment. It is recommended that viable best procurement practices be used by Uganda Police Force as a model towards improving performance of construction projects. There is a potential for the model to be adopted for use by other forces towards advancement of procurement best practices in construction project management.