Role of procurement stake holders in effective contracts management in Uganda: A case of Jinja district Local Government

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the role played by procurement stakeholders in effective contracts management using Jinja District Local Government in Uganda. The specific objectives sought to explore the relationships between roles played by (i) end users‟, (ii) procurement department, (iii) contract management team, and (iv) regulatory bodies and effective contracts management. The study used correlational design while adopting quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study was conducted in Jinja District on a target population of 170 officers at the level of Accounting officer, User department, Procurement department, Contract committee, Evaluation committee (a d hoc), Regulatory bodies, Financier/Donors, Providers and Local council leaders. The findings revealed a statistically positive but moderate significant relationship between roles played by procurement stakeholders and effective contracts management. The correlation analysis findings revealed a positive but a low significant relationship (rho = 0.404**) between roles played by end user and effective contracts management. There was a moderate and statistically positive significant relationship(r =0.501**) betwee n procurement department and effective contracts management. The findings also revealed a high and a statistically positive significant relationship (rho = 0.623**) between contract management team and effective contracts management. There was a high and statistically positive but high significant relationship (rho = 0.676**) between regulatory bodies and effective contracts management. It was concluded that end users, procurement departments, contract management teams and regulatory bodies have influence on effectiveness of contracts management to a larger degree in JDLG. This study made recommendations in areas of departmental input, allocation of fund to contract management committees, improving processes for imparting pre-contract knowledge and simplifying compliance procedures and charts for effective contracts management.