Volume 11 Number 1 November 2016

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://umispace.umi.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12305/366

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Now showing 1 - 11 of 11

Can social media enhance service delivery? Lessons and best practices
(Uganda Management Institute, 2016-11) Ouma, Flavia Kyeyago
Governments are increasingly leveraging social media to deliver better services to the public. These networks are useful for government organizations since they have many interactive and innovative features which aid communication and interaction among citizens and enable them to interact and collaborate with government in the delivery of public services. This exploratory study examines the use of social media and its potential in enhancing public service delivery. The paper discusses the drivers to the use of social media in government, the beneﬁts and lessons learned, and the best practices of managing social media for service delivery. It focuses on the use of social media in two case studies: the UK Metropolitan Police and Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). We ﬁnd that social media has enabled citizen participation, increased transparency, collaboration and improved accountability in service delivery
The controversies of social media surveillance: When privacy and exposure are at war
(Uganda Management Institute, 2016-11) Kasule, Hawa
Social media is characterized by a self-regulatory privacy policy regime that puts capital interest’s ﬁrst. Surveillance normally occurs in political and economic forms; though to a small extent social surveillance is also evident in social media. Little is known by Social Media users about social media surveillance, and surveillance technologies, yet such media is used for e-management. This article sought to establish the stages of surveillance, its technologies as well as its linkage to self-exposure and privacy by a qualitative and innovative research. In relation to exposure, it was discovered that surveillance creates an unbalanced relationship between the observers (such as social media service providers) and those being observed (social media service users). From a privacy point of view the study revealed that the anonymity enjoyed by the individual in small communities, is jeopardized by pervasive surveillance, especially via social media. It was concluded that surveillance over social media is a very controversial issue. The study recommended that the concept of surveillance and its transformation through the digital incarnation of the individual requires an examination with a greater scope and an interdisciplinary approach (which includes diverse disciplines of social sciences like sociology, political sciences, social psychology, anthropology and even history and philosophy) to be evaluated.
Accelerating the fight against corruption in Uganda: Strengthening the coalition between Anti-Corruption agencies and the media
(Uganda Management Institute, 2016-11) Karyeija Kagambirwe, Gerald
This article seeks to examine how the media contributes to corruption, the need to report on corruption with intent to create awareness as a preventive measure, and how the media can partner with anti-corruption agencies to accelerate the ﬁght against corruption in Uganda. In order to achieve these objectives, the article used documentary analysis, literature review and interviews. The argument in the article is that the media has a big role to play in the ﬁght against corruption, beginning with acknowledging that there is manifestation of corruption practices – cash for news, staged or fake news, gifts and advertisement, nepotism and media capture. Therefore the media has to overcome corruption within its own ranks. Other means through which the media can contribute towards the ﬁght against corruption include both tangible and intangible ways. It also emphasizes that there is urgent need for the media to participate in corruption prevention, through the launching of investigation by authorities, the scrapping of laws or policies promoting opportunities for corruption, the impeachment or forced resignation of corrupt politicians, the ﬁring of ofﬁcials, the launching of judicial proceedings; and since the ﬁght against corruption is a collective responsibility, then the media has to partner with anti-corruption agencies to accelerate the ﬁght against corruption in Uganda. We cannot ignore the critical role of the media in the ﬁght against corruption, and together the various actors can curb corruption in the country through a coalition of willing anti-corruption crusaders.
Research funding at Makerere University and its implications on human resource and institutional development: Does gender matter?
(Uganda Management Institute, 2016-11) Kaase-Bwanga, Elizabeth; Kabonesa, Consolata
The study investigated the research funding pattern at Makerere University. The major focus was to assess how the research funding pattern at Makerere University translated into human resource and institutional development and to ascertain whether gender matters. The analytical framework was anchored within the feminist organizational theory, economic resource-based theory of the ﬁrm and the human capital theory, Using secondary data, the results indicated that Makerere University was, to some extent, a gender-responsive institution in programming and organizational processes; although beneath these processes was a gendered sub-structure that was reproduced daily in practical work activities and impacting negatively on female staff research productivity, feminizing some academic disciplines, colleges, schools and administrative positions within the University structures. Makerere University research funding sources including, government and development partners as well as internally-generated funds demonstrated some level of gender responsiveness. Time was a binding constraint to female research productivity, the technical capacity of the members on the policy committees in gender analysis as well as the organizational logic built on masculine structures was found inadequate. There was need to reconsider widening research funding sources to increase research support, to include administrative staff, while targeting staff and colleges that are lagging behind in research outputs. Gender equity should be guiding factor. Technical capacity in gender mainstreaming that is already existing at the institution should be engaged to change the organizational logic with a view to enhancing the integration gender in the organizational structures, programs, policies including recruitment, promotion, retirement and processes which inadvertently create and enhance gender gaps between, colleges, administrative units and within disciplines for self-actualization. It is important for Makerere University to consider building the skills of the existing female staff into role models for the upcoming female students.
Community service functions of higher education institutions and socio-economic development in Uganda
(Uganda Management Institute, 2016-11) Barifaijo, Maria K.; Bigabwenkya, Sebastian; Namara B., Rose; Andama A., Felix; Bongomin L., Wilfred
This study examined the link between community service functions of higher education institutions (HEIs) and socio-economic development of localities around these institutions. The study set out to: explore the forms and strategies used by institutions in promoting the community service function; ﬁnd out the contribution of community service to local socio-economic development endeavors in Uganda; and examine the linkage of HEIs research and teaching to community service. Utilizing the interpretive approach and the general collaborative theory, the research was done among three higher Institutions of learning i.e. Uganda Management Institute, Makerere and Gulu Universities where teaching and administrative staff participated in the study. Findings show that there are many strategies used by staff and students in community service, but community service lacks a comprehensive strategy at HEIs level. The contribution of community service to local socio-economic development is not necessarily explicit in communities but the function is intertwined with research and education which all in the end contribute to socio-economic development. Community service is not deliberately linked to socio-economic development of localities as it is linked to promotion of staff and students learning. Besides, community service interventions in many institutions of higher learning are inadequately resourced and lack systematic approach to working for community transformation. The study recommends that for community service to be meaningful, it has to be beneﬁcial to the communities too. There is need to develop costed institutional strategies for community service and development of documentation mechanisms for community service interventions by university actors.
Reward policy as distributive justice: The case of primary school teachers in Uganda
(Uganda Management Institute, 2016-11) Muyinda Mande, Wilson
This study focused on the effect of reward policy on distributive justice. Primary school teachers from 2009 expected to be rewarded with just salaries. When these were not forthcoming, teachers went on strike between 2009 and 2015. The analysis revealed that reward policy and teachers’ union leadership (r (246) =.290, p<0.01) were closely associated; that teachers’ union leadership advocated distributive justice (r (246) =.464, p<0.01). Using a hypothetical model, the total causal effect of reward policy on distributive justice was found to be 70%. Although salaries were raised in the 2013/2014 ﬁnancial year, teachers were not satisﬁed. They continued demanding increment of 10% in the 2015/2016 ﬁnancial year. This study therefore recommends that to supplement a reward policy that promotes distributive justice, the government should also adopt non-ﬁnancial rewards. This is beneﬁcial because when simulation was applied, it emerged that non-financial rewards would increase teachers’ perception of distributive justice by 17%.
Performance of non-African foreign commercial banks in Uganda
(Uganda Management Institute, 2016-11) Kijjambu, Frederick Nsambu; Ddumba-Ssentamu, John
The focus of this study was to establish key factors responsible for the performance of non-African foreign Commercial banks in Uganda, in the light of Global Advantage Theory. The analysis was supplemented by structure–conduct performance (SCP) and efﬁciency hypothesizes (ES). The study analyzed the performance of licensed non-African foreign commercial banks on average, over the period 2000-2011, using Linear multiple regression analysis. The study ﬁndings showed that, management efﬁciency, capital adequacy and reputation/goodwill are key factors affecting the performance of non-African foreign commercial banks in Uganda. On the contrary, credit risk has a negative impact on performance of non-African foreign commercial banks in Uganda. On a positive note, diversiﬁcation, investment in securities and correct prediction of inﬂation are factors that drive the enhanced performance of non-African foreign commercial banks in Uganda. The emerging policy implication is that commercial banks’ managements should focus on improving: management efﬁciency; bank reputation/goodwill; credit risk management; capital adequacy levels; diversiﬁcation and investment. In addition, monetary policy regulations and instruments should not enforce high liquidity and capital adequacy levels. There is also need for regulations on non-interest income activities to harmonize the impact of diversiﬁcation on all commercial banks’ performance and avoid the exploitation of commercial banks’ customers.
Using baseline studies as a basis for monitoring and evaluation: A review of the literature
(Uganda Management Institute, 2016-11) Ssekamatte, David; Okello, Samuel Moses
Baseline data is often required by any organization or agency before an intervention as a basis for bench-marking progress; not only when implementation commences, but even prior to starting to gain knowledge of the situation at hand, and as a pillar for mid-term, end-term and impact evaluations. Baseline studies are pivotal as part of the pre-intervention foundational activities, because they help in testing hypotheses and can be a point of reference in the formative stages of a project in case the changes are bigger than what was assumed. Baseline studies have been very useful in project design and are an integral component of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) frameworks. In impact evaluations, baseline studies provide a basis for comparing the change observed over time with the situation that existed before the intervention or program. Because of donor preconditions, most implementers carry out baseline studies as a donor requirement and not as part of the standard M&E practice. This paper provides an overview of baseline studies as a valuable tool to inform the M&E processes and how baseline data has been utilized in M&E of different interventions. It concludes that baseline studies, if conducted well and data from them utilized effectively are very handy and useful in informing M&E processes.
Institutional capacity critical for effective record management towards enhanced transparency and accountability in public procurements
(Uganda Management Institute, 2016-11) Alinda, Fred; Mugisa, Geofrey
Enhancing transparency and accountability is widely recognized as an indicator for improved governance and pre-requisite for enhancing service delivery and development. In a bid to promote transparency and accountability in public procurements, Uganda’s Public Procurement system, through the Public procurement and Disposal of Assets Act and the PPDA authority is committed to ensure that all Public Procurement Entities keep records of public procurements to desired regulatory standards. However, poor record keeping has remained persistent in public procurements compromising accountability, transparency and public service delivery. Records are scattered, kept on separate ﬁles or different departments. In other cases, they miss completely for some procurements or speciﬁc procurement activities. This paper provides empirical evidence in account of this phenomenon. The paper is based on ﬁndings from analysis of primary qualitative and quantitative data which was collected from a sample of 76 record management stakeholders in Local Government Procurement and Disposing Entities. The study established prevalence of critical capacity gaps, institutional and technological challenges which constrain record keeping and management in the districts. These are typically institutional capacity challenges which should be addressed looking forwards to improve record keeping for enhanced transparency and accountability in public procurements. The paper ﬁnally provides possible measures to address the challenges.
Drivers of recentralization in Uganda and effect on service delivery
(Uganda Management Institute, 2016-11) Lwanga, Martin M
Decentralization deﬁned as the transfer of authority from central to local governments to perform certain duties, is seen as one of the public sector reform strategies to increase service delivery. Uganda is one of the countries whose decentralization reform was labeled ‘exceptional’ among developing countries in terms of the scale and scope of the transfer of power and responsibilities to the local level. But starting in 2005, the Government of Uganda started rethinking the policy. Among others the ofﬁce of Chief Administrative Ofﬁce (CAO) was recentralized taking the responsibility of CAO appointments from District Service Commission) DSCs) to Public Service Commission (PSC). This has been followed with recentralization of Kampala City under the management of a Central government appointed Executive Director and certain aspects of the Health sector. What drives this more recent development of recentralization in Uganda? Is it an indication of failure of decentralization? Scholars have argued that drivers could range from electoral politics, ethnic politics, to the need for ﬁnancial accountability. This paper seeks to verify these drivers with evidence from Uganda. The paper reviews different government, public and academic literature as well as ﬁndings of other researches concerning the phenomena. Interviews were conducted with a number of key policy makers. Based on these sources the paper answers the following questions: what are the drivers of recentralization in Uganda? Further, to what extent does recentralization improve service delivery by increasing efﬁciency, participation, accountability and effectiveness? What are their prospects of continued recentralization in Uganda?
A comparative analysis of the Uganda public service across time since Independence
(Uganda Management Institute, 2016-11) Musubira, Hilda
Uganda attained independence on 9th October, 1962. Since independence, the Uganda Public Service sector has undergone three phases of reforms. The Public Service is the administrative machinery through which the government effects and delivers public services. These reforms have had far-reaching impacts on public service delivery in Uganda. Nonetheless, the common focus on service delivery improvement has not critically analysed these reforms and their impact on the same. There is therefore a need to understand the reforms, their implementation and impact on the Uganda Public Service. This article therefore brings out a comparative analysis of the different phases of the Uganda Public Service since independence, and analyses the reforms and resultant impact. Speciﬁcally, the status of the Uganda Public Service is identiﬁed, while critically reﬂecting on the administrative bureaucracies and the respective Public Service regulatory regimes. This analysis is based upon a critical review of the existing literature on Uganda’s administrative bureaucracies, with a focus on reforms in the Public Service. The article establishes that before the reforms, speciﬁcally during the period of autocratic and corrupt regimes, the Public Service remained highly centralized and politicized. Further, it was characterised by poor remuneration, rampant corruption, non-performance and very poor delivery of public services. In response to these inadequacies and shortcomings, the Civil Service Reform Programme (CSRP) was initiated in the 1900s. In its initial stages, the CSRP recorded considerable success. Nonetheless, the reforms stalled in the mid-1990s and, in some instances and areas the reform efforts reversed. This reversal led to the initiation of the third and current phase of reforms which are focusing on human resource policies, institutional environment and public management systems that facilitate national development, improved service delivery and poverty eradication. To date (2016), there are signiﬁcant achievements in terms of outputs. Nonetheless, it is difﬁcult to translate these achievements into positive outcomes for successful public service delivery.

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