PROCUREMENT PLANNING AND QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY IN ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN UGANDA, A CASE STUDY OF UGANDA NATIONAL ROADS AUTHORITY (UNRA)

Abstract

This study focused on procurement of road infrastructure projects directly handled by Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) in Uganda, specifically examing the relationship between procurement planning and quality of road infrastructure projects. Only data related to procurement activities was bench-marked on at UNRA. Specific objectives of the study were to examine the relationship between procurement, need identification on quality-of-service delivery in road infrastructure projects, to assess the relationship between procurement specifications planning on quality-of-service delivery and to determine the relationship between procurement budget planning on quality-of-service delivery in road infrastructure projects in Uganda. Cross sectional study design was employed and a sample of 160 respondents was generated from the study population. Inclusion of procurement officers and heads of department, project managers, budget planners as well as road project supervisors and operations department were all part of the criteria. While components related to road infrastructure projects lacking procurement plans were excluded. Key findings showed a statistically significant moderate positive relationship of the components of procurement planning with quality-of-service delivery as; procurement needs identification at (r=.586, P=.000); procurement Specification Planning (r=.530, P=.000) and Procurement Budget Planning at (r=.475, P=.000). it was established that Effective procurement need identification, specification planning, and budget planning are vital for enhancing service delivery quality in road infrastructure projects. Statistically significant correlations across all three areas affirm that structured planning, timely execution, and expert involvement are essential for achieving value-for-money and reliable service outcomes. It was therefore recommended that policy adoption, capacity building and project planning needs continuous enhancement to improve institutional performance on the road infrastructures.