MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

(CoBAMS)
SCHOOL OF STATISTICS AND PLANNING
A REPORT ON FIELD ATTACHMENT /INTERNSHIP AT THE

MINISTRY OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT

(Policy & Planning Department)
BY

WAMBETTE TOM MIKE

15/U/13668/PS
Field Attachment Report submitted to the College of Business and
Management Sciences in Partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
of

BACHELOR OF STATISTICS
Of

Makerere University Kampala

WAMBETTE TOM MIKE
…………………......

Field Attachment Period

July-August 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................. iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................... iv
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................. v
LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... vi
LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... vii
LIST OF ACRONYMS ................................................................................................. viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 1
1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Background to Field Attachment ........................................................................ 1
1.3 Objectives of the Field Attachment ..................................................................... 2
1.3.1 Main objective(s) ............................................................................................... 2
1.4 Background of the Ministry ................................................................................. 2
1.4.1 Line Transport Sector Agencies under the Ministry ..................................... 4
1.4.2 Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) ................................................... 4
1.4.3 Uganda Road Fund ........................................................................................... 4
1.4.4 Civil Aviation Authority Uganda..................................................................... 5
1.4.5 Uganda Railways Corporation ........................................................................ 5
1.5 The Mandate, Vision, Mission and Objectives of the Ministry ......................... 6
1.5.1 Mandate ............................................................................................................. 6
1.5.2 Vision.................................................................................................................. 6
1.5.3 Mission ............................................................................................................... 6
1.5.4 Objectives........................................................................................................... 7
1.6 Organisation Culture ............................................................................................ 8
1.7 Gender Perspectives in the Organisation............................................................ 9
1.7.1 Employee Characterization.............................................................................. 9
1.8 Structure of the Ministry of Works and Transport ......................................... 10
1.9 Key functions of the Ministry ............................................................................ 13
CHAPTER TWO: STUDENT’S EXPERIENCES ...................................................... 18

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2.1 Title or Position occupied in Department ......................................................... 18
2.2 Duties and Responsibilities................................................................................. 18
2.3 Supervision Levels and Relationship with Supervisor .................................... 22
2.4 Work Team and its composition ........................................................................ 22
2.5 Working Relationship among Team Members/other staff.............................. 23
2.6 Authority levels to the student ........................................................................... 23
CHAPTER THREE: EVALUATION ON FIELD ATTACHMENT ........................ 24
3.1 Level of Accomplishment of duties and responsibilities .................................. 24
3.2 New Knowledge and Skills gained ..................................................................... 24
3.3 Most interesting experiences .............................................................................. 25
3.4 Relatedness of University’s taught programmes to the Field of Work .......... 28
3.5 Challenges faced and how managed .................................................................. 28
3.6 Benefits gained from the Field attachment ....................................................... 29
3.7 Adequacy of the University’s preparation of students for field attachment . 29
3.8 Preparedness of the Ministry to receive and manage students for field
attachment ................................................................................................................... 30
CHAPTER FOUR: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...................... 32
4.1 Conclusions .......................................................................................................... 32
4.2 Recommendations ............................................................................................... 32
4.2.1 The Ministry .................................................................................................... 32
4.2.2 The University ................................................................................................. 33
4.2.3 The Students .................................................................................................... 34
APPENDICES ................................................................................................................. 36
APPENDIX I: PORT BELL QUESTIONNAIRE ....................................................... 36
APPENDIX II: KAWUKU SHIPYARD QUESTIONNAIRE .................................... 40

ii
DECLARATION

I WAMBETTE TOM MIKE REG. No. 15/U/13668/PS hereby do affirm and

declare to the best of my knowledge and understanding that the material

presented in this report is my own work and contains no material which has

been presented elsewhere for any academic award.

WAMBETTE TOM MIKE

15/U/13668/PS

Sign…………………………………… Date……/………/…………

MS. CLAIRE ASHABA

(UNIVERSITY SUPERVISOR)

Sign……………………………………… Date……/………/……….

MR. MYERS TUMUKUNDE MURUMU

(HOST SUPERVISOR)

Sign…………………………………….. Date……/………/…………

iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I thank the Almighty God who enabled this whole internship

experience a success.

I thank the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Department of Policy and

Planning who gave me an opportunity to train with them and notably my field

supervisor Mr. Vincent Ssozi (Principal Statistician), Mr. Myers Tumukunde

Murumu (M&E Officer), Mr. Kim Kamulegeya (Data Base Administrator), Mr.

Cypriano Okello (Senior Planner-Transport), and Mr. Edmand Kalende (Planner-

Transport) for the support and guidance rendered.

I also extend my sincere gratitude to my University Supervisor Ms. Claire Ashaba

and the School of Statistics and Planning, Makerere University for having

introduced the internship program that has enriched me with real experience of

the world of work.

iv
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The aim of field work training is to integrate theory to practical knowledge, attitude

and experience that will enable me become flexible in the tomorrow work

environment.

The field work training was carried at the Ministry of Works and Transport under the

Department of Policy and Planning from 3rd July to 25th August 2017.

I learnt a lot of things among which included exposure to the different statistical

packages such Epidata, SPPSS and STATA, preparing different documents such

reports, work plans and budgets.

The report consists four (04) chapters. Chapter one highlights background to the field

attachment while chapter two looks at the student’s experience. Chapter three deals

with evaluation on field attachment while chapter four covers the conclusions and

recommendations. Some of the recommendations listed in chapter four include

provision of adequate office space for the internees by the Ministry, sending students

for field training early by the University, and taking the whole internship process very

serious by the students.

v
LIST OF FIGURES

Fig2.1: Our team led by the Senior Planner-Transport (in a blue-white striped

shirt) onboard the MV Mango Tree Ship at Kawuku shipyard. ..................... 20

vi
LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.1: Gender composition in the Ministry ................................................. 10

Table 1.2: Showing the different departments of the Ministry and their

approved staffing level. ........................................................................................ 11

vii
LIST OF ACRONYMS

AC Assistant Commissioner

BFP Budget Framework Paper

BRT Bus Rapid Transit

CAA Civil Aviation Authority

DBA Data Base Administrator

EACAA East African Civil Aviation Academy

KCCA Kampala Capital City Authority

M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

MDAs Ministries, Departments and Agencies

MLHUD Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development

MoLG Ministry of Local Government

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

MoWHC Ministry of Works, Housing and Communication

MoWT Ministry of Works and Transport

MPS Ministerial Policy Statement

viii
P&P Policy and Planning

PSVs Public Service Vehicles

SPSS Statistical Package for Social Scientists

UNRA Uganda National Roads Authority

URC Uganda Railways Corporation

URF Uganda Road Fund

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 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

This is a report of my field attachment at the Ministry of Works and Transport which

took place from 3rd June- 31st August, 2017.

The purpose of the report is to explain what I learnt during my internship period at the

Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) under the Department of Policy and

Planning for the two months.

The report highlights primarily the background of the Ministry of Works and

Transport (MoWT), tasks assigned to me by my supervisor, accomplishments and

challenges encountered in the process of executing the tasks. It is expected that this

report will serve as a benchmark for future internees at the MoWT.

1.2 Background to Field Attachment

Field attachment is a field-based practical training experience that prepares trainees

for the tasks they are expected to perform on completion of their training. It is also

intended to enable me as a student get;

a. An opportunity to apply the principles and techniques theoretically learnt into

real-life problem solving situations,

b. Develop my understanding of work ethics, employment demands,

responsibilities and improvement,

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c. Hands-on real-life situation experience am expected to work in when I

graduate.

1.3 Objectives of the Field Attachment

1.3.1 Main objective(s)

a. To enable students get hands-on experience real-life situation they are

expected to work in when they graduate.

b. To provide an opportunity to students to apply the principles and

techniques theoretically learnt into real-life problem solving situations.

c. To develop students understanding of work ethics, employment demands,

responsibilities and improvement.

d. To provide an opportunity for students and academic staff to interact with

the stakeholders and potential employers to appreciate field situations that

will also generate information for curricula review and improvement.

e. To enhance and strengthen linkages between Makerere University and

various stakeholders.

1.4 Background of the Ministry

The Ministry of Works and Transport is located at Old Port Bell road, Kampala

Central division.

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The Ministry was restructured in 2006 from the then Ministry of Works, Housing

and Communication (MoWHC) following the Presidential announcement in 2006.

Prior to restructuring, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Communications

(MoWHC) had a staff establishment of about one thousand five hundred [1500]

staff, most of whom had been deployed across the 22 upcountry work stations.

The restructuring reduced the number of employees to 582 posts.

It should be noted that the restructuring report of February 2009 did not include

the East African Civil Aviation Academy (EACAA) Soroti. Recruitment at the

Academy was only done by requesting the Public Service Ministry to approve

posts which would enable the Academy to function until its structure is approved.

The Ministry is a Government Institution that renders free services to the public.

The Ministry gets its funding from the consolidated fund. It also gets funds from

donors.

The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) exists to formulate policies, plans,

set standards, build capacity carry out advocacy, regulate, monitor and evaluate

the Works and Transport Sector. The Ministry also provides policy and strategic

guidance to parastatal bodies under its supervision namely, Uganda National

Roads Authority (UNRA), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Uganda Railways

Corporation (URC).In regard to Uganda Road Fund (URF), and the Ministry of

3
Works and Transport (MoWT) provides political and operational oversight in

collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The Works and Transport sector is a cluster of priority sectors of the economy

comprising public building works, road, railway, water and air transport. The

sector anchors the economy and serves as its conveyor belt. Its performance

depends on how it relates with its clients and stakeholders in the delivery of

services.

1.4.1 Line Transport Sector Agencies under the Ministry

The Ministry has four (04) sector agencies that it works hand-in –hand with.

These include the following;

1.4.2 Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA)

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) was established by the Uganda

National Roads Authority Act, No.16 of 2006.It became fully operational on 1st

July 2008.UNRA’s mandate is to develop and maintain the national roads,

manage ferries linking the national roads network and axle load control.

1.4.3 Uganda Road Fund

The Uganda Road Fund (URF) was established by an Act of Parliament (URF

Act) in 2008.the objective of setting up the Fund was to enable adequate, timely

and reliable funding for routine and periodic maintenance of public roads mainly

4
from Road User Charges (RUCs).It is mandated to collect Road User Charges

(RUCs) and manage funds collected to finance road maintenance programmes.

1.4.4 Civil Aviation Authority Uganda

The Civil Aviation Authority Uganda (CAA) is a corporate body established by

an Act of Parliament, CAA Act, and Cap354’’ of 1991.The mandate of the

Authority is to “promote the safe, regular, secure and efficient use and

development of civil aviation inside and outside Uganda.’’

The Authority is mandated to advise Government on Policy matters and

International conventions relating to civil aviation and adoption of measures

necessary to give effect to the standards and recommended practices under those

conventions.

1.4.5 Uganda Railways Corporation

The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is a corporate body reporting to the

Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT). under the Uganda Railways

Corporation Act (URC Act, 1992).

The URC mandate is; the construction, operation and maintenance of railway,

marine and road services both in and outside Uganda, for the carriage of

passengers and goods.

5
1.5 The Mandate, Vision, Mission and Objectives of the Ministry

1.5.1 Mandate

The Ministry’s Mandate is to;

a. Plan, develop and maintain an economic, efficient and effective transport

infrastructure;

b. Plan, develop and maintain economic, efficient and effective transport

services by road, rail, water, air and pipeline;

c. Manage Public works including government structures and;

d. Promote good standards in the construction industry.

1.5.2 Vision

An aspirational description of what an organization would like to achieve or

accomplish in the mid-term or long-term future.

 To provide reliable and safe works, transport infrastructure and

services.

1.5.3 Mission

 To promote adequate, safe and well maintained Works and Transport

Infrastructure and Services for Social Economic Development of

Uganda.

6
1.5.4 Objectives

a. Improve the stock and quality of road infrastructure;

b. Improve traffic flow within greater Kampala metropolitan area;

c. Increase volume of passenger and cargo traffic buy air transport;

d. Strengthen the National construction industry.

7
1.6 Organisation Culture

The values and principles that guide the staff and political leadership

of the Ministry of works and transport are as below;

a. Professionalism: Adherence to the defined rules, standards and guidelines

of the respective disciplines, exhibiting professionalism, competence and

honesty.

b. Integrity: Highest standards of integrity, the Ministry shall not place its

self under any financial or other obligations to individuals or organizations

that might seek to compromise our professional behavior in performance

of our duties.

c. Quality Assurance: Put in place measures and mechanisms that will

ensure clients deliver/receive quality services and works within budget and

time.

d. Selflessness: Put public interest above personal interest without

consideration of any financial or material benefit and gain.

e. Objectivity: Make decisions based on merit, researched information,

professional codes and other codes of good practice.

f. Customer/Client focus: Put the interests of customers/clients as first

priority. Shall always seek to meet our customers’ needs and expectations.

g. Partnership: Engage partners in planning, designing, implementing,

monitoring and evaluating programmes and Projects.

8
h. Optimal use of resources: Optimally use resources in the attainment of

the Ministry objectives and targets.

i. Transparency and Accountability: Be transparent and accountable for

decisions, actions and inactions.

j. Responsiveness: Shall respond to their clients effectively and efficiently

when called upon.

k. Impartiality: Shall provide services to all clients without discrimination

on the basis of gender, race, color and religion or creed or ideological

orientation or social status.

1.7 Gender Perspectives in the Organisation

Gender mainstreaming in the Ministry started with the implementation of a

ten-year Government of Uganda roads sector development programme, the

Ministry is gender sensitive as it welcomes and empowers everyone regardless

of their gender. On the general scale, the Ministry tried to balance the number

of both male and female employees and the positions held were regardless of

their gender. Senior managerial positions as well had a mix of female and

male staff. This reflected that such positions were held depending on merit and

competency.

1.7.1 Employee Characterization

The staff cadres in the Ministry include; Planners, Senior Planners, Principal,

Statisticians, procurement officers, Economists, policy Analysts, Engineers,

9
Surveyors, Architects, Accountants, Auditors and Administrative Staff and

other Support staff. Most offices are dominated by males according to the

Ministry’s staff list. Most female employees dominate posts such as secretary,

office attendants and a few big posts in the Ministry. Majority of the staff in

the Ministry are males and also occupy majority of the big positions.

Table 1.1: Gender composition in the Ministry

Item Male Female Total

Number 347 131 478

Percentage 72.6 27.4 100

Source: Ministry’s Human Resource Management Division staff list as at 1st

July 2017.

1.8 Structure of the Ministry of Works and Transport

The Ministry is headed by a Minister and deputized by two (02) State

Ministers; the Minister of State for Works and the Minister of State for

Transport. The Permanent Secretary is responsible for the overall

administration of the Ministry. All the above personnel are appointed by the

appointing authority who is the President of Uganda. The Ministry has two

Directorates; Directorate of Transport and Directorate of Engineering and

Works, with nine (09) departments as shown below.

10
Table 1.2: Showing the different departments of the Ministry and their

approved staffing level.

No. Department Approved Filled

1. Transport Services and Infrastructure 35 16

2. Transport Regulation and Safety 69 41

3. Maritime Administration 46 01

4. Roads and Bridges 89 80

5. Public Structures 58 34

6. Mechanical Engineering Services 120 104

7. Construction Standards and Quality Management 101 70

8. Finance and Administration 96 93

9. Policy and Planning 31 13

Source: Ministry’s Human Resource Management Division staff list as at 1st

July 2017.

Organogram of the Ministry

11
12
1.9 Key functions of the Ministry

The Ministry has a number of activities which include the following;

a) Initiate, formulate and develop national policies, plans and programmes

for safe and efficient public transport infrastructure and services.

13
b) Monitor and evaluate the implementation of national policies, plans and

programmes for safe and efficient work, public transport infrastructure

and services.

c) Initiate and review laws and regulations on Works and Transport

infrastructures and services.

d) Set national standards for the construction industry, transport

infrastructure and services.

e) Enforce compliance to national policies, laws, regulations, strategies and

guidelines on works, transport ways infrastructure and services.

f) Inspect and license Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).

g) Monitor and evaluate the performance of statutory bodies of the Ministry.

h) Provide technical support for contract works, including construction and

maintenance undertaken by the government Ministries, Departments and

Agencies (MDAs).

i) Initiate and formulate plans and policies for the management of public

buildings.

j) Set and monitor national standards on public buildings.

k) Carry out research and develop local materials for the construction

industry.

14
Policy and Planning Department

I was assigned the Policy and Planning Department which is headed by a

Commissioner and assisted by two Assistant Commissioners, but currently one

of them is in acting position of Commissioner.

Mandate of the Department

i. Plan, develop and maintain an economic, efficient and effective transport

infrastructure.

ii. Plan, develop and maintain economic, efficient and effective transport

services by road, rail, water, air and pipeline.

iii. Manage public works including government structures and

iv. Promote good standards in the construction industry.

Objectives of the P&P Department

a. To coordinate sector plans and policies

b. To Monitor and evaluate implementation of the ministry’s policies, plans

and projects

c. To Provide technical support to various departments during planning,

projects and policy formulation

d. To Formulate the Sector Budget Framework Paper and Ministerial Policy

Statement.

15
Functions of the P&P

a. To coordinate the preparation of the Budget Framework Paper (BFP), the

ministerial policy statement (MPS) and the Ministry strategic plan

b. To coordinate the formulation and review of strategic ministry policies

c. Liaise with other Government Ministries in developing and analyzing

cross-sectoral policies and issues for guidance to the Ministry.

d. Monitor and evaluate the implementation and carry out impact assessment

of major policies in the Ministry.

e. Coordinate and monitor sector performance

f. Collect, process, analyze, interpret store and disseminate data on all modes

of transport for strategic planning.

16
Organogram of the Policy and Planning Department.

17
 CHAPTER TWO: STUDENT’S EXPERIENCES

2.1 Title or Position occupied in Department

As an internee with Ministry of Works and Transport, I was working under the

Policy and Planning Department, Data Base Section as an intern. This Section

is headed by the Principal Statistician, Mr. Vincent Ssozi. The Data Base

Section is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the

Ministry’s policies, plans, programs and projects; and providing technical

support to various Departments during planning, projects and policy

formulation process.

2.2 Duties and Responsibilities

My internship program began on 3rd July, 2017 and it lasted for a

period of two (02) months as stipulated on the acceptance letter from

the Ministry and while under the Department of Policy and Planning, I

was involved in a number of tasks and activities that among the

following included;

a) Design of questionnaires on inland water transport on Lake

Victoria

These were to be used in collecting information about inland water

transport on Lake Victoria at Port Bell and Kawuku shipyard

respectively. Each internee was required to come up with a sample

questionnaire and the final copy was compiled by group effort with

18
 guidance from the Senior Planner-transport. I had to include questions

that would;

(i) Enable the Ministry find gaps in the development of inland

water transport on Lake Victoria and how best to address them;

(ii) Plan, develop and come up with strategic plans and policies in

line with improvement of inland water transport on Lake

Victoria.

b) Data collection

This was done at Port Bell and Kawuku shipyard respectively. This was done

to have a real field experience about the data collection process. The data to be

collected from the field was to be of use to the Ministry in the following ways;

(i) Enable the Ministry find gaps in the development of inland water

transport on Lake Victoria and how best to address them;

(ii) Plan, develop and come up with strategic plans and policies in line

with improvement of inland water transport on Lake Victoria.

19
Fig2.1: Our team led by the Senior Planner-Transport (in a blue-white

striped shirt) onboard the MV Mango Tree Ship at Kawuku shipyard.

c) Report writing

Here we were required to include the following;

i. Objectives of the field visit to both Port Bell and Kawuku shipyard

ii. Methodology. This was to include methods of data collection, nature of

the data, data source and sampling design,

iii. Key findings,

iv. Conclusions and recommendations.

20
d) Attending of a Joint Committee Meeting between Government of

Uganda

I had the opportunity to accompany the Senior Planner-Transport to a meeting

held at the Ministry of Works and Transport main boardroom between

representatives from the government of Uganda and representatives of SINO

GROUP from China. This meeting was chaired by the Director of Transport

and SINO GROUP had presented their terms that they wanted the government

of Uganda to solve before investing in bus services in Kampala city and so the

committee convened a meeting to discuss the matter and give guidance to the

government. The terms of reference included among the following;

i. Removing all Matatus, Boda bodas and large transport vehicles

completely from the city and operate in areas outside the city.

ii. The government of Uganda should put in place routes and assign traffic

officers, ensure security, set up urban management and relevant

government departments to assist in the management and operation of

the buses.

iii. The government should provide all documents that show the operator is

exempted from paying import tax of the buses. All other relevant taxes

should also be exempted.

The Government of Uganda was represented by the Ministry of Works and

Transport (MoWT), Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Ministry of

21
 Local Government (MoLG), Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban

Development (MLHUD), and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

2.3 Supervision Levels and Relationship with Supervisor

As internees under the department of Policy and Planning, we always

occupied the same room and therefore supervision was maximum as it

was done by all members of staff including my supervisor. For

compliance with the public service code of conduct, I was monitored like

other civil servants to always sign in and out at the time of reporting to

work and leaving to ensure good time management.

My supervisor was encouraging and assisted me where I found

challenges, cracked jokes and was always a jolly person. My relationship

with my supervisor was purely trainee-to-supervisor relationship.

2.4 Work Team and its composition

The Policy and Planning Department is composed of two (02) divisions and

one (01) section/unit;

a) Policy Analysis Division headed by Assistant Commissioner (AC)

Policy Analysis.

b) Works and Transport Planning Division headed by AC Works and

Transport Planning.

c) Database section headed by a Principal Statistician.

22
The Database Section to which I was assigned is responsible for data

collection and analysis which data is useful to senior managers in decision

making and future planning, it is also responsible for the evaluation of

different reports, plans, and Programs within the Sector. The Database Section

is staffed with two (02) Monitoring and Evaluation Officers (M&E), but with

one having been resigned, and one (01) Data Base Administrator (DBA) in

addition to the Principal and Senior Statistician.

2.5 Working Relationship among Team Members/other staff

The Department of Policy and Planning staff were so hospitable. They

welcomed us with open hands even when we were late by one (01) month for

the field attachment. They were also very cooperative in assigning tasks to us

in groups and this enabled us to complete them in time.

2.6 Authority levels to the student

Tasks were assigned to us in groups and in most cases I took up the role of

team leader. I was responsible for ensuring that each task was completed in

time, typed, printed and handed in before the deadline.

23
 CHAPTER THREE: EVALUATION ON FIELD ATTACHMENT

3.1 Level of Accomplishment of duties and responsibilities

The various duties and responsibilities assigned to me were accomplished as

follows;

Questionnaire Design

I successfully designed a questionnaire on inland water transport on Lake

Victoria (Port bell and Kawuku Shipyard) with a combined effort of fellow

internees and guidance from the field supervisor. The package used was MS

Word 2013

Data Collection, Entry, Analysis and Report writing

On data collection, a group of internees were required to go out into the field

to collect information on inland water transport on Lake Victoria. I managed

to be among the group that visited Port Bell and Kawuku Shipyard (A copy of

these questionnaires is attached as at Appendices I&II).

On data entry, I was able to enter the data from the field using Epidata

Statistical package.

Data analysis was done using statistical packages such as SPSS. This was

followed by report writing

3.2 New Knowledge and Skills gained

a) Writing reports in the professional manner

24
 I learnt that before a report is written, some procedures had to be followed

such as gathering information about the subject matter, doing some data

analysis and then writing a report in such a way that it can be understood

by everyone and that the report had to go through different committees for

approval before being made public.

b) Professional code and conduct

I learnt that while you are in custody of government documents, you are to

exhibit high level of secrecy and confidentiality.

c) Team work

In everything that we did at the workplace, a lot of team work spirit was

shown and this not only bonded us but also enabled us complete tasks in

time. We also learnt a lot from each other.

d) Use of statistical packages

In some of the tasks that we were assigned, it was necessary to use

statistical packages such as STATA which I found new and interesting

thus I learnt how to do analysis of data using STATA.

3.3 Most interesting experiences

My field attachment was an interesting experience all through and

below are some of my key highlights;

a) A study visit at Kawuku shipyard

25
 While at Kawuku shipyard, I had a lot of fun boarding a relatively

large ship like the MV Mango tree ship. For the very first time, we

were shown the interior of the ship including the engine room, the

control room and at lunch time, we had good lunch with the Chinese

staff and managed to use chop-sticks for the very first time. It was such

an amazing experience.

b) Lunch breaks

During meal time at the Ministry canteen, sharing a table with some of

the Ministry big wigs was always memorable as sometimes they would

poke jokes at me. I miss these moments!

c) Attending the BRT Joint Committee Meeting

I had the opportunity to attend a Joint Committee meeting between

representatives from the Government of Uganda that comprised the technical

team from the Ministry of Works and Transport(MoWT, Kampala Capital

City Authority(KCCA), Ministry of Local Government(MoLG), Ministry of

Lands ,Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD), Civil Aviation Authority

(CAA) and representatives from the Chinese investing company, SINO

GROUP that was held at the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT)

headquarters main boardroom on the 9/08/17.This meeting was chaired by the

Director of Transport (DoT) to discuss the terms of reference raised by SINO

GROUP and advise Cabinet among which included the following;

26
 i. Removing all Matatus, Boda bodas and large transport vehicles

completely from the city and operate in areas outside the city.

ii. The Government of Uganda should put in place routes and assign

traffic officers, ensure security, set up urban management and

relevant Government Departments to assist in the management and

operation of the buses.

iii. The Government should provide all documents that show the

operator is exempted from paying import tax of the buses. All other

relevant taxes should also be exempted.

While in this meeting, I enjoyed every bit of it right from the constructive

arguments as members presented their different opinions from an informed

point of view. I also understood what a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) meant.

d) Orientation

This was carried out in the very first week of July and it was time to relax

from the University examination stress. It was a time to meet and interact with

new faces both from the University and work place and in the due course,

make new friends as this was a new found home away from campus. We were

also briefed to follow and observe the Public Service dress code, respect the

Ministry staff and do only what was expected of us.

27
3.4 Relatedness of University’s taught programmes to the Field of

Work

The field training was a perfect realization of the programmes taught at

University. For example, while at the Ministry, we used software

packages like SPSS, STATA and Epidata that were taught in data

analysis 1 and 2 respectively.

3.5 Challenges faced and how managed

I did not encounter many challenges during my field training but

except few as attached here below;

The costly meals at the Ministry forced me to go without lunch on

some days because I could not afford buying lunch on a daily basis.

However, this was mitigated by asking for financial assistance from

parents and relatives.

There was limited time for the accomplishment of the assignments.

This meant that sometimes I did not do work to my best. However, this

was managed by going extra hours to ensure completion of work in

time.

There was inadequate space for office work during the month of July

due to the many internees in the Policy and Planning department. This

was managed by having the group of internees from Makerere

University come in the afternoons for the month of July.

28
3.6 Benefits gained from the Field attachment

The following were gained during my field training;

The opportunity to work with different people including the Ministry

staff, students from other universities and not forgetting fellow

students from different courses, colleges of Makerere University was

commendable as each was useful in one way or the other.

Office conduct and having to cope up with the dress code of the Public

Service was an outstanding achievement. I was in position to

understand the work ethics, employment demands, responsibilities and

opportunities of work and the importance of having an Institutional

dress code.

New knowledge and practical experience was gained, this increased

my confidence and love for the course (Bachelor of Statistics).

Ability to transfer knowledge and skills learnt at school in the day to

day activities at the workplace.

3.7 Adequacy of the University’s preparation of students for field

attachment

The already prepared log books gave us a guide throughout the field

training period and this made compilation of field attachment report

easy.

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 The orientation meeting held at the university before sending students

to the field enabled students get a feel of how was expected in the work

place.

Assessment and supervision was also facilitated that enabled the

university supervisors to evaluate what the students were progressing.

However, the supervisor to student ratio is still low since one

supervisor is responsible for many students who are under the same

school.

Also the facilitation by the University through the internship money

given is not sufficient to meet all the basic expenses during the period

of field training.

3.8 Preparedness of the Ministry to receive and manage students for

field attachment

Despite being late by one month for the field training, we were

received with open arms by the Ministry and the Department of Policy

and Planning respectively. We were oriented in the first week of July

by the (Planner- transport) and advised to behave in a professional and

ethical manner, abide by the Public Service Code of Conduct. The

Database section boardroom was allocated to the internees for office

30
space. We were also properly facilitated during our field work trips to

Port bell and Kawuku shipyard.

31
 CHAPTER FOUR: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 Conclusions

My stay at the Ministry of Works and Transport and particularly the

Department of Policy and Planning was commendable. I was able to get

exposure to the real workplace setting, demands and challenges. I also had the

opportunity to relate with different categories of people including the fellow

internees, potential employers and Ministry staff as a whole.

I was also able to appreciate the role played by the transport sector in the

social-economic development of Uganda.

Notable weaknesses were mainly two;

a) Inadequate stationary such as desktop computers and office space

b) Getting adapted to the new environment of work was not easy

4.2 Recommendations

I would recommend the following to be done by the responsible stakeholders;

4.2.1 The Ministry

a) The Ministry should squeeze its budget so as to cater for the

welfare of internees such as providing lunch just to motivate the

internees under their docket. It would not hurt.

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 b) The Ministry should provide adequate office space to the internees

under their docket to make their stay during the course of filed

training comfortable.

c) The Ministry should continue with the good spirit of welcoming

internees to train with them and attain the practical work

experience.

4.2.2 The University

a) Should start the field training programme right from first year, this

will enable students appreciate their different courses they offer in

the early stages.

b) Try to top-up on the internship money given to students to enable

them meet the high expenses incurred during field training such as

accommodation expenses for those that get their field attachment

in far places from their homes.

c) Allow students from far places outside the central region pay and

take up space (if available) in the halls of residence during recess

term to avoid students renting in dangerous neighborhoods that

endangers their lives.

d) Send students in time so they benefit fully from the field training.

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4.2.3 The Students

a) Students should take whole internship issue very seriously like applying

early to the respective organizations that they wish to do their field

training from to avoid cases where some students miss out on placements.

b) Use the internship money sparingly so as to meet their budget expenses

during the course of field training.

c) Pay much detail to what they learn at the university because this will help

them transfer the knowledge and skills attained at school in the real work

place.

34
REFERENCES

Works and Transport Sector Handbook-2016.Kampala: Ministry of Works and

Transport.

Transport, MoWT (2009). National Transport Master Plan for Greater

Kampala Metropolitan Area. Kampala: Ministry of Works and Transport.

Transport, MoWT (FY 2016/17). Ministerial Budget Policy Statement.

Kampala: Ministry of Works and Transport.

The Uganda Vision 2040.Kampala: National Planning Authority.

Transport, MoWT (FY 2015/16). Ministerial Budget Policy Statement.

Kampala: Ministry of Works and Transport.

Transport, MoWT (2012). Ministry Strategic Plan. Kampala: Ministry of

Works and Transport.

Ministry of Works and Transport. Works and Transport Annual Sector

Performance Report FY 2015/2016.

Makerere University. (2017). Student’s Internship Log Book.

35
APPENDICES

APPENDIX I: PORT BELL QUESTIONNAIRE

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

MINISTRY OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT

Background

The Ministry of Works and Transport is collecting data from the field on Ports

and Marine Vessels. Data collected will be used for planning and

programming infrastructural development in the sector. The information

provided will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

A) Personal Data

1) Name of Student: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - -- -- -- -

2) Questionnaire Number: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -

3) Date: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

4) Time: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -

B) Details of respondent

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1) Name of respondent: -- - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

2) Sex (male/female) .........................................................................

3) Occupation: …………………………………………………………...

4) Contact; …………………...

C) Details of the port

1) Name of the port-----------------------------------------

2) What is the difference between a port and a pier? ----------

3) When was the port constructed? ----------------------------

4) What is the size of the port in acreage ------------------------

5) What are the major activities carried out at the port? ------

6) Who owns this port? ------------------------

7) What are the major challenges faced at the port? -----------

8) How are these challenges minimized? —---------------------

9) What is the capacity of the port and its throughput? -------

10) How many types of vessels do you have at the port? ------

D) Wagon ferry

1) When was the wagon ferry built? --------------------------

2) Who built the wagon ferry? -------------------------

3) What was the total cost of building the Wagon Ferry? ----

37
 4) What are general specifications of wagon ferry in terms of length,

capacity, draft and the expected life span? -----------

5) What are the major items carried on the wagon ferry? -----

6) How many wagons does the ferry carry? --------------------

7) Is it supposed to carry other goods? ------------------------

8) How do you load the ferry and other ship? ------------------

9) Where are the link spans and how useful are they to the port? ---------

10) How do you manage waste from the ship? ------------------

11) How is offloading done on the ship? ----------------------

12) How many people are allowed on the ship? -----------------

E) Cargo transportation

1) What is the meaning of TEU’s? ………………………

2) How much cargo is carried by the ship in terms of TEU’s? ------------

3) Is it possible to avail us records for port bell over the last 10 years?

F) Dry dock

1) What is a dock? -----------

2) Where is the dry dock and how does it work? ------

3) What is the difference between a dry dock and a shipyard? ------------

G) Port Equipment

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 1) Please, show us the key port equipment (cranes, folk lift etc.)? -------

2) Do you have a dredger at this port? If yes please show us

H) Social economic issues

1) What is the contribution of port bell to the surrounding area? ---------

2) What is the contribution of the port to the economic development of

Uganda? ----

39
APPENDIX II: KAWUKU SHIPYARD QUESTIONNAIRE

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

MINISTRY OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT

Background

The Ministry of Works and Transport is collecting data from the field on Ports

and Marine Vessels. Data collected will be used for planning and

programming infrastructural development in the sector. The information

provided will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

A) Personal Data

1) Name of Student: -------------------------------------------------------

2) Questionnaire Number: ------------------------------------------------

3) Date: ----------------------------------------------------------------------

4) Time: ---------------------------------------------------------------------

B) Details of respondent

1) Name of respondent: ---------------------------------------------------

2) Sex (male/female)..........................................................................

3) Occupation: ……………………………………………………

40
4) Contact; …………………………………………………………

C) Kawuku shipyard

1) Briefly describe your company. ---------------------------------------

2) What is a shipyard?

3) Who owns this shipyard? .................

4) What is the source of funding for the construction of this shipyard?

5) What is the capacity of the shipyard?

6) What is the main purpose of the shipyard? .....................

7) What is the location and size of Kawuku shipyard?

8) Is it possible to build a ship without a shipyard?

9) Is it possible to show us the ship you’ve built? Is it possible to

explain how it’s being used?

10) How much does it cost to build a cargo ship?

11) What material do you use in ship building?

12) How long does it take to construct one ship?

13) What types of ships are constructed here?

14) How many ships are constructed annually?

D) Contribution of KAWUKU Shipyard

1) What is the contribution of the shipyard to:

a) The economy’s GDP

b) Water transport sector in Uganda

c) Kawuku

41
2) Is it possible to partner with Government to develop similar

facilities or even water transport in Uganda?

E) CHALLENGES;

3) What challenges are you facing at this shipyard?

4) What are the challenges faced in ship building?

5) What measures have been put in place to address these challenges?

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