AUTHOR(S)
LETICIA KOMBA RWAKIJUMA, OLIVE LUNYOLO
ABSTRACT
Higher education is important in fostering knowledge production and innovation, and in
attracting global government investment. However, in developing nations like Uganda, the
surging demand for higher education strains government funding for universities, with
private universities being more affected. Thus, private-public partnerships (PPPs) have
emerged as a remedy to ease financial burdens. Nonetheless, it is uncertain whether private
universities in Uganda have embraced PPPs. Our purpose was to explore the prospects of
mobilising financial resources through PPPs by private universities in Uganda. We specifically
aimed at exploring the possibilities for mobilising resources through PPPs and the conditions
necessary for effectively mobilising resources through PPPs by private universities. Using a
qualitative research approach with a descriptive design, we conducted interviews with PPP
experts from both private and public universities. We analysed data by coding, categorising
and thematising. Our findings revealed various PPP possibilities, including securing
facilities, utilising staff services from public institutions, securing government grants and
strengthening the existing chartered private universities. We found, too, that conditions for
effective PPPs were unfavourable in terms of the legal framework, government support to
private universities, willingness to partner, transparency, accountability, partnering skills
and the economic environment. We concluded that private universities in Uganda have
shown minimal engagement in PPPs, as conditions necessary for them to mobilise resources
through PPPs were unfavourable. We recommend that private universities in Uganda should
actively embrace PPPs with strong government support to address resource gaps and leverage
additional resources to strengthen their position in advancing knowledge and innovation,
thus enhancing their contribution to national development.
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