Outsourcing Contract Practices and Community Road Project Performance in Acoliland, Mid-North, Uganda: An Empirical Analysis
Keywords:
Contractor selection, Monitoring mechanisms, Outsourcing contracts, Procurement governance, Road project performanceAbstract
Rural road infrastructure in northern Uganda is in poor condition. Delays, cost overruns, and early failures are common. Weak supervision, scattered governance, limited technical skills, poor monitoring, and low accountability hurt community road projects. This study examines how outsourcing contract practices impact community road project performance in Acoliland, Mid-North Uganda. It aims to find out if clear procurement, careful contractor selection, and strong monitoring improve quality, timeliness, and efficiency. A mixed-methods sequential exploratory design. Collected quantitative data from 350 respondents, including contractors, district officials, and community representatives. Descriptive statistics summarized the trends, while regression analysis measured the effects. Clear procurement significantly improved performance (β = 0.42, t = 6.11, p < 0.001). Contractor selection also had a positive effect on outcomes (β = 0.35, t = 5.28, p < 0.001). Monitoring had the strongest impact (β = 0.48, t = 7.02, p < 0.001). Interviews highlighted the importance of contractor skills, supervision, and accountability. Field observations showed that poor oversight caused project delays, and document reviews revealed that contract enforcement was inconsistent. The findings indicate that effective outsourcing greatly improves community road delivery. Strengthening procurement, contractor evaluation, and monitoring practices boosts efficiency, quality, and long-term sustainability. The study offers solid evidence and practical guidance for local governments in post-conflict areas.
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