Women Entrepreneurs’ Participation in Source Selection and Contract awards in Public Procurement in Kampala, Uganda

Women Entrepreneurs’ Participation in Source Selection and Contract awards in Public Procurement in Kampala, Uganda

Oleru Huda1, Dr. Asaba Richard Bagonza2,3, Dr. Anju Mehta1, Dr. Tukundane Benson4
1,3Texila American University,
2Makerere University, School of Women & Gender Studies
3Kampala International University, College of Humanities & Social Sciences
4Kampala International University, College of Economics and Management
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2023.10502
Received: 07 April 2023; Revised: 26 April 2023; Accepted: 01 May 2023; Published: 31 May 2023

Abstract: The participation of women entrepreneurs in public procurement has become a policy area of interest in developing countries. This is not an exemption for Uganda’s case as pressure keeps mounting on the government for more transparent, inclusive and gender sensitive procurement processes. This paper investigated women entrepreneurs’ participation in public procurement in Kampala, Uganda. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and used a mixed methods approach, in which 168 survey respondents and 12 key informants representing various associations and agencies responsible for procurement were reached. Findings revealed that the majority (88%) of the women entrepreneurs were knowledgeable about public procurement methods based on their marketing strategies and 60% were aware of solicitation mainly through newspapers. Another 72.2% admitted that they had participated in bidding processes. However, up to 88% were oblivious of public procurement quotas that can enhance their opportunities in public procurement. This study shows that whereas women entrepreneurs may be knowledgeable about source selection, they need to be sensitized about the existing quotas for women and other vulnerable groups and other empowering measures. Also, this study recommends increased representation of women on the contract awards committees to ensure that the reserved quotas are adhered to in the awarding of contracts.

I. Introduction

The procurement process is always seen as a cycle made up of many processes which must be completed by the business and procuring unit in order to achieve its implementation. The application of public procurement core principles at every stage in the procurement process cycle helps to make the process easier for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to participate and win contracts. Therefore, any preferential procurement policies should be aligned with core procurement principles and other procurement objectives (ITC, 2014).

The public procurement process involves three phases; “acquisition planning and market research; source selection and contract award; and contract administration and close out” (e.g., ITC, 2014; Nelse, 2017; Schooner, 2008) . By carefully structuring the rules that govern each of these phases, governments seek to achieve various policy objectives. For most procurement systems, those objectives include value for money, integrity, equal treatment and efficiency these objectives can and should include increased participation by women entrepreneurs in public procurement and in the economy more broadly. Due to international and domestic pressures, countries have taken important initiatives towards making public procurement more transparent and efficient to meet the international procurement guidelines. A number of legislations have been put in place, institutions need to be strengthened in East Africa since they still lack both technical and human resource capacities (Morrisson, 2006). There are arrays of obstacles in the process of public procurement reforms. The easiest and most possible means of reforming the public procurement process can be through the establishment of regulatory framework and a regulatory authority to enforce compliance and eradicate corruption in public procurement which is not an easy task though. Despite the shortcomings, progress made in Uganda and other many African countries in public procurement should be recognized (Agaba & Shipman, 2007).

A study to assess the extent by which existing legal frameworks are likely to support efficiency of public procurement systems in Africa, revealed progress in establishing framework agreements despite the limitations that still exist and that each country should enhance clearer rules and agreements applicable to their public procurement systems (Eyo, 2020).

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