Browsing by Author "Mugerwa, Benedict"

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The Dangerous Boda Boda Transport Mode: Mitigating an Impending War on the Roads in a Transforming City? Case of Kampala City
(Journal of Logistics Management, 2019) Wanume, Paul; Nduhura, Alex; Mugerwa, Benedict; Bagambe, Henry; Ninsiima, Jemimah
This paper investigates the tyranny of motorbike (boda-boda) socio-economic costs associated with commercial motorbike accidents in a city setting and provides strategies to reduce the negative effect of such transport mode. Existing research has focused on social economic costs with vehicles automobile related accidents leaving silent but impactful broader indirect costs and strategies for managing boda-boda in the city undebated and in limbo. The study borrows from the view that cities and their streets are for everyone. City dwellers no matter the economic and social status must have an opportunity to enjoy life in cities. Based on a cross-sectional survey and documents analysis, this paper concludes that the costs of boda-boda accidents is alarming and may be silently impacting on economic growth and prosperity of city dwellers especially the bottom of the pyramid. The outcome of the study point to the need to continuously review such costs and institute mitigants to reduce boda-boda fatalities and injuries through various interventions but more importantly underpins the need to establish the true delivered of boda-boda accidents to their victims. The study findings are relevant since they provide an assessment of not only economic but social costs associated with motorbike accidents. The study provides strategies that are informed by empirical and secondary evidence in Uganda’s context and from international experiences. These are necessary for Uganda that seeks to create 9 cities and other countries are envision not at transforming their cities into smart cities but transiting existing municipal authorities into cities and gradually into smart cities.
Marketing Strategies and Market Performance of M-Sente a Mobile Money Product of Uganda Telecom Ltd
(Universal Journal of Management, 2016) Waiswa, Bob Eustace; Nduhura, Alex; Mugerwa, Benedict; Settumba, John Paul; Wanume, Paul; Businge, Hannington
Purpose- Intrigued by the poor market performance of M-Sente product of Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL), this study examined the relationship between marketing strategies and the market performance of M-Sente, a mobile money product of Uganda Telecom Limited. Specifically, study: examined the relationship between pricing and market performance of M-Sente; examined the relationship between promotion and market performance of M-Sente; and, examined the relationship between place and market performance of M-Sente. Design/methodology- The study adopted a cross section study design and both quantitative and qualitative approaches. In total, a sample of 120 respondents was chosen and included members of the marketing team, Sales team, dealers (Central), sub dealers (Central) and M-Sente outlets (Central). Data was collected by means of questionnaires and interviews, and analysis of quantitative data was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings – This paper revealed that UTL’s prices were lower than the competition, though customers did not feel they were getting value for money. This explains why UTL’s market share continues to decline despite their competitive prices. The study findings revealed that there is a positive relationship between marketing strategies and market performance of M-Sente mobile money product of UTL. Further, it was noted that pricing had a positive correlation with market performance (r=0.444**; p<.001); promotion had a positive significant relationship with market performance (r=.171*; p<.001); and place was positively correlated with market performance in UTL, though not significantly (r=.366; p>.001).The findings of this paper show that the price of M-Sente products was found to be low although the number of customers kept on declining. This is contrary to the law of demand that postulates that the lower the price the higher the demand. Results showed that M-Sente had a small number of retail outlets distributed all over Kampala. It was not featuring significantly in the rural areas, because most people in the rural areas have no bank accounts and largely rely on mobile money transactions. This means that even if a customer wanted to use M-Sente, they had to travel far in search of an M-Sente outlet. There is revelation that customers would rather use the competitors’ mobile money services (more widely spread out in every town and more accessible). The promotional strategies through advertising had proved to be very costly to UTL, yet the results from them were so minimal, contributing to significant losses. Thus, UTL needs to explore other less costly means of sales promotion, such as handing out samples of its products, having promotional products branded with its logo, or other gifts at key locations. One of the major drawbacks for UTL’s M-Sente services was the limited accessibility. Therefore, the company should carry out thorough planning on the location of the mobile money outlets. The results (findings) of this research can’t be generalized. Implications- Pricing is one of the marketing strategies that UTL is using to improve its market performance, by charging rates lower than the rest of the telecom companies, though this has not resulted into better market performance. UTL has engaged in a number of promotions for example sales promotion, advertising promotion and on line promotions, in an effort to inform, persuade and influence people when making a decision to buy. However, the fewer outlets in the city centre seemed to be countering the efforts through promotion. This calls for better planning on the location of the mobile money outlets within and outside Kampala. In addition, the outlets need to be strategically located in places where it is easy to outwit competitors given the marketing strategies employed.
Municipalities in Motion: How Clustered Procurement Supports Municipalities Transition into Cities Case Study: USMID Programme in Uganda
(Journal of Logistics Management 2019, 2019) Nduhura, Alex; Wanume, Paul; Mugerwa, Benedict; Settumba, John Paul; Bagembe, Henry
The purpose of this paper is to define clusters and clustered procurement and critically discuss the role of clustered procurement in the evolution of municipalities to cities. Methods and Methodology– The research adopts a comprehensive consultation of literature review published sources and listening to voices of purposively selected participants. Findings –Clustered procurement is capable of contributing outwards evolution of municipalities into cities if policy makers integrate the concept in the national legal and regulatory framework for public procurement. To achieve this, it is essential that a guideline for implementing clustered procurement is developed and training on how to implement this concept before it can be rolled out for implementation across Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and Local Government Administrations. Research limitations – Literature on the role of procurement in contributing to creation of cities and particularly in the context of clustered procurement has been limited. Some discussions that are related to joint bidding are only mentioned on the supplier’s side but not extensively reviewed in accordance with the procuring end. Practical implications – The study provides in-depth knowledge on the working and benefits of clustered procurement in contributing to the transition of municipalities into cities. By incorporating clustered procurement in urban service delivery options, municipalities can secure quality infrastructure required to become and sustain city status. Originality/value – The paper provides fresh literature updates on clustered procurement and how it can help small and middle-sized towns transit into cities while highlighting with special focus to a multitude of traffic, communal and other issues of cities such as access roads, streets, sewerage, sidewalks, lighting, food and water supply, suburban and city transport that clustered procurement can provide