Transport Management Systems and Performance of Logistics Service Providers in Uganda: A case study of Kenfreight Uganda Limited

Abstract

The study was carried out at Kenfreight U Limited to establish the transport management systems and performance of logistic service providers in Uganda. Specifically, the study set out to establish how transport planning system, transport organization system and transport cost control system contributes to performance of KUL. The study used a case study design to observe a sample of 97 respondents comprised of the staff, clients and customers of the company. Data was collected using observations, checklists, questionnaires and documentary review guides. Data was analyzed using SPSS. The main findings showed that the transport management systems such as Planning, organization and cost control had a positive effect on the performance of KUL. It was further revealed from the findings that the importance for logistic service providers to manage its fleet was to assist the company focus on; expansion and growth of its fleet, monitoring and evaluation of the transportation activities and determine its profits among others. More findings revealed that the staff often received complaints from customer concerning cargo delays, wrong billings, delay in clearing creditor bills and a few complained of loss of their cargo. The study recommended that the management of KUL should emphasize routing and scheduling as part of planning for their fleet. In addition to this KUL should consider Overall Vehicle Effectiveness (OVE) for it to improve performance and quality of delivery. It further recommended that logistic service providers should also ensure driver efficiency which can be done through Training schemes which motivate drivers in fuel-efficient driving techniques and lastly that KUL should consider integration of Transport management information systems with external enterprise systems that will assist to achieve a more optimized supply chain, as well as, lower transport and total logistics/ supply chain costs.