Volume 9 Number 1 March 2015

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://umispace.umi.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12305/359

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    Challenges of Information and Communication Technology usage and accessibility in managing public sector records in Local Governments in Uganda
    (Uganda Management Institute, 2015-03) Akra, Henry Ayias
    For most developing countries, and more specifically African countries, the experience in the application of information and communication technology (ICT) to harness knowledge-based economies is still challenging. Hence, this article examines the challenges of ICT accessibility and usage in managing records in local governments (LGs) in Uganda that has abetted inefficient records management practices. The research design was mainly quantitative, and used a structured questionnaire together with interview and observation guides. The study was conducted in three districts and the line Ministry of Local Government. Of the 108 respondents sampled using simple random as well as probability sampling methods, 84 people participated, representing 77.7% response rate. The results indicate a negative but statistical significant relationship (-.394**) between the challenges of usage of ICTs and Records Management Practices (RMPs); and a negative but statistical not significant relationship (-.108) between the challenges of ICT accessibility and RMPs. This implies that more focus is required on continuous ICT training for LG records staff in appropriate skills and programmes availed to ensure optimal usage of the existing ICT infrastructure to enhance proper RMPs. Even if the relationship between the challenges of accessibility of ICT infrastructure and RMPs was not statistically significant, the infrastructure should be availed and continuously upgraded to avoid obsolescence and inaccessibility to enhance proper RMPs in the LGs.
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    Compliance with record-keeping regulatory standards in public procurement in Uganda: Performance challenges and strategic measures for improvement
    (Uganda Management Institute, 2015-03) Alinda, Fred; Mugisa, Geoffrey
    Record-keeping is widely underscored for its crucial role in enhancing transparency, accountability, fostering procurement audits, identifying performance gaps and ultimately improving the delivery of public services. In Uganda, record-keeping in public procurements is highly emphasized and institutionalized. The Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets (PPDA) Act of 2003 and the Local Government Procurement and Disposal of Assets Regulations of 2006 define a regulatory framework for public procurements with the PPDA Authority providing regulatory oversight. The target is to realize 100 percent compliance with record-keeping standards. The accounting officers and the PPDA Authority are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that this target is met. Capacity building has been instituted and continues to be implemented as a key strategic measure to enhance compliance. The Authority conducts periodic compliance assessments to ascertain compliance with the desired regulatory standards inclusive of record-keeping. Availability and completeness of records indicates transparency in public procurements and also determines performance on other indicators that detect adherence to procurement principles of accountability and value for money. Drawing from literature, this article presents an overview on the trend of compliance with recordkeeping standards, vis-a-vis the measures implemented to enhance compliance. From this, the authors establish a persistent and deteriorating state of non-compliance with record-keeping regulatory standards in public procurements over the 2009-2012 period. Non-compliance persists despite the remarkable efforts to build capacity for compliance in the Procurement and Disposing Entities (PDEs). It raises concern over the relevance and quality of training provided to stakeholders. Drawing insights from the Human Capital, Principal Agent and Institutional theories, the authors provide a theoretical perspective in an attempt to account for this persistent non-compliance. Based on the theoretical underpinnings, the study opens insight into critical factors which can be further investigated in an attempt to create a precise account of non-compliance with procurement regulations, particularly with regard to record-keeping standards that are worst affected.
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    The good, bad and ugly of administrative reforms in Africa: Discourse, policy controversies and policy orientations
    (Uganda Management Institute, 2015-03) Forje, John W.
    The article revisits through a policy analysis the on-going debate on the major structuring of administrative reforms so badly needed to move Africa from a backward to a service delivery society. Critically and analytically it delves into policy orientations over the past decades with the attempt to relate them to the advocacy and strategies developed by different networks and policy communities to craft an administrative structure that adequately respond to the needs of the continent. The analysis reveals in particular the crucial contribution of the “Power of Politicisation” of the administrative structure; and shows how it contributes towards underdevelopment and not the sustainable transformation of the continent to ensure quality livelihood of the citizens. Forje argues that administrative reforms in Africa require comprehensive ‘depoliticisation’ and ‘constructive engagement’ with civil society and the private sector. In order to have a system with proper output functions that significantly impacts on the wellbeing of the people as well as moves the continent forward. Politicisation of the administration leads to corruption, poor output services bleeding the continent to death; it prevents other groups or opinions concerned with more intractable social, economic and political issues from engaging successfully in the policy process for meaningfully tailored structural reforms. Good governance and the rule of law are needed for an effective well-functioning administrative set-up.
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    Human resource hiring process and cooperation in greater Bushenyi Districts, Western Uganda
    (Uganda Management Institute, 2015-03) Byabashaija, Deusdedit; Karyeija, Gerald K.; Murangira, Martin
    This study assesses the relationship between human resource hiring process (HRHP) and cooperation of Greater Bushenyi Districts Local Government (GBDLG). The Greater Bushenyi District Local Governments includes the Districts of Bushenyi, Buhweju, Mitooma, Rubirizi and Sheema. Using descriptive research design, a researcher generated questionnaire and an interview guide data was collected for the study. Primary data obtained from the five districts of Greater Bushenyi Local Governments was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Linear correlation coefficient (PLCC) and Regression analysis. The contribution of HRRP to cooperation was satisfactory as evidenced in terms of: bench marking, participatory democracy and empowerment. HRRP was found to be significantly correlated with cooperation (bench making, democracy and empowerment). It was concluded that HRRP positively and significantly influences cooperation in GBDLG. The researcher recommends that government should promote equal employment opportunities in terms of HRRP, ensure flexibility in rules and regulations; train employees, foster cooperation, reduce domination by central government in district affairs; and increase funding for sub-national governments.
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    Building ethics and integrity in the public sector in Uganda: A search for a superlative approach
    (2015-03) Kyohairwe, Stella B.
    Building ethics and integrity in the public sector is a great concern for governments aiming at realizing good governance principles and for ensuring appropriate public administration and management. It is noted, however, that while efforts for guaranteeing ethics and integrity in Uganda’s public sector have always been instituted, the major approach has been centered on using legal approaches within the public sector confines. The tendency to neglect the integration of informal organizational processes and institutions outside the public sector is seen as a substantial explanation of the persisting ethical and integrity issues in managing public institutions. In this article, a theory-based analysis is applied to explore the practices of the public service. Realizing the persistent challenges of public sector ethics and integrity in Uganda, the article raises possible explanations grounded in Joseph A. Patrick and John F. Quinn’s (1997) ethical model. While a wide range of approaches have been employed to eradicate unethical behavior of public servants, it is realized that legal redresses are unable to offer all-round solutions. As such, the emphasis of using moral values and standards is seen as the best alternative solution for public sector management.
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    Institutional and legal factors affecting environmental management in a decentralized system of governance: A case of wetlands in Uganda
    (Uganda Management Institute, 2015-03) Turyasingura, Wilberforce; Mbasa, Bernard Arinaitwe
    Decentralization of natural resource management is considered by many development agents, researchers and environmentalists, as a way to improve efficiency and equity in natural resource management. Under the decentralization system of governance that Uganda adopted in the 1990s, the management of natural resources was also decentralized. In this regard, Uganda has undertaken several initiatives in a bid to delegate natural resource management responsibilities to local governments and build local capacity for this purpose. The initiatives have ranged from development of an institutional framework for environmental management such as National Environment Management Act (1995), the Land Act 1998, and the Local Government Act 1997 among others, to establishment of funding mechanisms for wetland management both at the Central and Local Government levels. In spite of these efforts by the Government, the level of environmental management in a decentralized framework is still unsatisfactory. There is evidence of massive wetland encroachment, and the anticipated benefits from wetlands management have not been realized. This study was conducted to examine the extent to which funding mechanisms, human resource capacity and legal framework influence environmental management in a decentralized system of governance. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected; analysis was done using correlational analysis and content analysis for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Findings revealed that all the three variables under investigation had a moderate significant relationship with effective environmental management. The findings were corroborated by responses from various stakeholders interviewed in the course of the study. The study recommends that both the central and local governments should develop a sustainable funding mechanism and an efficient planning and budgeting system; develop strategies for attraction and retention of key professional staff in environmental management and streamline existing legal framework for natural resource management in enhancing sustainable environmental management in the country.