Contract management and procurement performance in public Universities of Uganda: A case study of Busitema University

Abstract

This study examined the influence of contract management and procurement performance in Public Universities of Uganda case of Busitema University. Specifically, the study investigated the extent to which contract governance, performance monitoring, closeout/termination influence procurement performance in Busitema University. The study used a cross-sectional study design adopting quantitative and qualitative approaches on a study sample of 120 Busitema University staff and 40 suppliers and contractors. Data was collected using a questionnaire and interview guide. The study found out that contract governance predicted 39.7% of the variance in the procurement performance while contract performance monitoring predicted 21.2% of the variance in the procurement performance and contract termination/closeout predicted 39.1% of the variance in the procurement performance. The study concluded that attainment of procurement performance indicators of value for money and internal customer satisfaction in Procurement and Disposal Entities (PDEs) depends on the establishment of contract governance mechanism, contract performance monitoring and contract termination/closeout practices. The study recommends the Accounting Officer in Busitema University in liaison with User Departments, PDU, Contract Committee and selected contractors/suppliers should use pre-contract performance conferences to illustrate and communicate the contract governance structure, establishment of quality assurance criteria to monitor quality such as delivery inspection committees within the user departments, training of user department and contract managers on contractor/supplier appraisal.