Empirical Study on Procurement Planning Practices and Procurement Performance of Centenary Bank, Uganda

Purpose: Commercial banks have over time had procurement performance challenges owing from the poor procurement planning as reported in different procurement management literature. This study was carried out to examine the relationship between procurement planning and procurement performance of Centenary Bank Mapeera (CBM). Materials and Methods: Cross sectional survey research design was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from centenary bank team leaders, tender committee members, procurement officers, legal officers, procurement and disposal unit staff, credit officers, branch management officers and from prequalified suppliers and provider's FY 2022/23. From a total population of 190 employees, a sample size of 129 was determined using Slovin's (1965) formula. Specific random and none random sampling techniques were used to select respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide and was analyzed using correlation and thematic analysis techniques. Findings: The findings displayed in the correlation analysis results for CBM (r = 0.653, p<.01) show a significant positive relationship between the predictor variable and the outcome variable. Specifically, budgeting and procurement performance at CBM were positive and significant (r =0.532, p<.01); needs assessment and procurement performance were significant and positive (r =0.484, p<.01); however, for contract administration and procurement performance the relationship was positive but none significant (r =0.613, p>.05). The likely explanation here could have been the fact that entities are geared towards cost reduction at the cost of quality improvement which would be possible through procurement planning. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: From this study it is envisaged that commercial banks which institute systematic procurement planning systems would realize improvement in procurement performance. Keywords: Procurement, Performance, Central Bank, Uganda, Planning JEL Classification Codes: H32; H57; J18; L91; M21;