Browsing by Author "Wanyama, Simeon"

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Corporate governance and accountability in Uganda a stakeholder perspective
(University of Dundee,, 2007) Wanyama, Simeon; Burton, M. Bruce; Helliar, V. Christine
The interviews documented in this study suggest that much more sensitisation is needed to develop an awareness of the importance of good governance and accountability among a wide range of groups of stakeholders in Ugandan corporations. Several organisations, including the ICGU, are attempting to improve the situation, but the government itself is seen as perhaps needing to exhibit a greater will to tackle corruption— and encourage accountability and good governance—not just in words, but in practical actions. Political cronyism, vested interests and interference, as well as a lack of sufficient backing for regulatory agencies, appear to be serious obstacles to the emergence of improved governance structures in Uganda. A concerted effort was thought to be required to ensure that management and boards develop better corporate governance practices and enhance their accountability framework so that they become (and are seen to become) good corporate citizens. In summary, there is clearly a need for the Ugandan authorities to address the issues identified in this study, and work towards a system of governance that will enhance confidence (both domestic and international) in the inherent accountability of the Ugandan corporate system. It is apparent, however, that many of the key players in the system perceive there to be a sufficiently widespread degree of corruption to make substantive improvement difficult. The priorities of the Western-based codes on corporate governance may therefore only have limited applicability for a developing nation such as Uganda. While the present study has limitations, most notably in the fact that only those willing to be interviewed took part, the results point strongly to a common view along the lines stated above and a need for action that is increasingly urgent
Corporate Governance and Accountability in Uganda: An Analysis of Stakeholder Perspectives
(University of Dundee, 2006) Wanyama, Simeon
This thesis examines the extent to which stakeholders in Uganda perceive the country’s present governance framework to be effective in providing confidence about the corporate sector. The study is based upon semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys with different groups of stakeholders in Uganda. The issues that are examined include the legal, regulatory and supervisory frameworks, the political framework, the cultural framework, the ethical framework and the economic framework underpinning governance in the nation’s corporate sector. The research adopts an accountability perspective to investigate the various issues that emerge; the results suggest that urgent action is needed in order to facilitate the implementation of a sound corporate governance system that provides for a meaningful degree of accountability.
Frameworks Underpinning Corporate Governance: Evidence on Ugandan Perceptions
(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2009) Wanyama, Simeon; Burton, Bruce; Helliar, Christine
Manuscript Type: Empirical Research Question/Issue: This paper sets out to investigate perceptions about corporate governance practices in the developing African nation of Uganda. The study employs interview and questionnaire analysis to examine the part played by a range of factors in supporting effective governance. Research Findings/Results: The findings suggest that pervasive corruption and weaknesses in underlying frameworks have hampered attempts to improve practice. The results indicate that the mere emergence of detailed governance codes in developing countries does not necessarily mean that de facto practices will improve. Theoretical Implications: The results suggest that corporate governance standards in developing countries may appear on paper to be broadly similar to those in developed countries. However, a widespread perception exists that Ugandan frameworks are not yet strong enough to support what might normally be considered to be “good” practice. Sound corporate governance is seen as being a multi-faceted notion, with a range of political and social frameworks requiring strengthening before meaningful improvements can be made. Practical Implications: The evidence indicates that attempts to improve governance standards in a particular nation require more than the simple publication of codes of best practice. Root and branch changes in a wide-range of contextual factors, including at political and cultural levels, are required to provide the conditions in which meaningful improvements in corporate governance will occur.
General Practice Patients Treated for Substance Use Problems: Acrossnational Observational Study in Belgium
(2016) Wanyama, Simeon; Boffin, Nicole; Antoine, Jerome; Moreels, Sarah; De Ridder, Karin; Peremans, Lieve; Vanmeerbeek, Marc; Van Casteren, Viviane
General Practitioners (GPs) are well placed to care for patients with (chronic) substance use problems. This pilot was carried out to study the feasibility and usefulness of a continuous surveillance of substance use problems among general practice patients. The objectives were (i) to describe variables with missing values exceeding 1% and whether patients were reported without substance-related problems; (ii) the profile and the magnitude of the patient population that is treated for substance use problems.Observational study by the Belgian Network of Sentinel General Practices (SGP) in 2013. Baseline (at the first encounter) and 7-month follow-up data were reported of all patients treated for substance use problems. Two main measurements were type of substance use and patient status at follow-up. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine patient status at follow-up. Of 479 patients, 47.2% had problems with alcohol alone, 20.3% with prescription drugs, 16.7% with illicit drugs other than heroin or methadone and 15.9% with heroin or methadone. Problems with alcohol alone were more prevalent in Flanders (53.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 46.8–59.1%) than in Wallonia-Brussels (39.8%; 95% CI33.1–46.8%), while problems with heroin or methadone were more prevalent in WalloniaBrussels (27.0%; 95% CI 21. 1–33.5%) than in Flanders (7.1%; 95% CI 4.3–10.9%). At followup, 32.8% of the patients had dropped out, 29.0% had discontinued GP treatment and 38.2% had continued GP treatment. Overall, 32.4% of 479 patients had continued GP treatment for substance use problems during the study period. In Wallonia-Brussels, this proportion was higher (42.7%; 95% CI 35.9–49.6%) than in Flanders (24.3%; 95% CI 19.2–29.8%). A continuous surveillance of the general practice population treated for substance use problems seems to be feasible and useful. The latter is suggested by the specific profile and the relative magnitude of the population. Inter-regional health system differences should be taken into account to estimate the epidemiology of substance use problems among general practice patients.
History and Evolution of Public Procurement Reforms in Uganda
(2016) Wanyama, Simeon
This chapter discusses the history and evolution of public procurement in Uganda and presents a thorough review of the laws and regulations, audit and investigation reports, as well as the opinions of the practitioners about the relative success and failure of reform. Wanyama demonstrates that political interference and economic bilateralism between Uganda and China are shifting the preferential schemes from local to foreign companies rather than abolishing them as international discourse on competition would want it.
Legislation for Public Procurements and Disposal of Public Assets: The Case of Uganda
(IGI Global, 2021-03-01) Wanyama, Simeon
This chapter is about corrupt practices in the public procurement cycle. Taking the example of Uganda, it identifies what takes place at each of the stages of public procurement and examines the perspectives of stakeholders regarding alleged corruption, misappropriation, and fraudulent practices during the public procurement process. It also reviews the governance systems that have been put in place to try and stem out these malpractices and ensure proper governance in the administration of public procurement. The research followed a qualitative approach aimed at getting the views of stakeholders and understanding whether what is in place is adhering to the principles of public procurement which foster good governance and value for money. The findings of the study indicate that the perception of the majority of the respondents is that corruption is pervasive in public procurement in Uganda despite good laws, regulations, and guidelines that have been put in place and that it manifests itself at all the stages of public procurement.
Stakeholders, accountability and the theory-practice gap in developing nations’ corporate governance systems: evidence from Uganda
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2013) Wanyama, Simeon; Burton, Bruce; Helliar, Christine
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions about the nature and role of corporate governance in Uganda, with the emphasis on accountability within a stakeholder framework. Design/methodology/approach – The study employs interviews and questionnaires to gauge the views of key players in Uganda about the way the nation’s firms are governed, in the context of the stakeholder notion and the need for corporate accountability. Findings – The results suggest that the research participants take a broad view of the corporate governance concept, with recognition of a wide range of stakeholders evident. However, issues relating to corruption and the de-facto legal framework mean that practices depart markedly from any reasonable understanding of what might represent ‘‘best-practice’’. Practical implications – The results suggest that there is a gap between the theory and practice of corporate governance in Uganda, and regulators need to address this issue and deal with the endemic corruption and extant legal weaknesses that have given rise to this situation. Originality/value – This is one of the first studies to explicitly examine perceptions about governance standards within an accountability framework in a developing nation. Keywords Uganda, Corporate governance, Accountability, Stakeholder analysis, Corruption, Developing countries