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

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.