Distribution management and quality of fresh food supplies in Uganda police force: a case of Kampala metropolitan police

Abstract

The general objective of the study was to examine the effect of distribution management on quality of fresh food supplies in Uganda Police Force at Metropolitan Police. The study specifically assessed the effect of transportation, storage and information flow in the UPF at Metropolitan police. The study used a case study design adopting quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study sample included 248 respondents consisting of police officers, quarter masters and mistresses and logistics officers. The study found a moderate positive and significant relationship between transportation and quality of fresh food supplies in UPF although it was the second most significant predictor of the variance in quality of fresh food supplies (r = 0.491**, p = 0.000, β1= 0.234, t= 2.200, Sig. = 0.029). There was a moderate positive significant relationship between storage and quality of fresh food supplies and it was not a significant predictor of the variance in quality of fresh food supplies (r = 0.478**, β1= 0.120, t= 1.103, sig = 0.271). Information flow had a moderate positive significant relationship with quality of fresh food supplies and it was the most significant predictor of the variance in quality of fresh food supplies (r = 0.517**, β1= 0.354, t= 3.805, Sig. = 0.000). The study recommended that UPF should procure vehicles with different temperature-insulated containers or other climate control solutions which are required in the transportation of fresh food supplies, UPF should take advantage of technology improvements in data capture and processing, product tracking and tracing, synchronized transport transit times for time compression along the supply chain, UPF should invest in fresh food cold chains, UPF should also adopt the FEFO ideology where the first expired should be the first to be issued out in order to reduce on the loss, UPF should budget for the construction of modern and efficient storage facilities, UPF should invest in technology, where appropriate, and become as efficient as possible in tracing and tracking the shelf life of these fresh food supplies and finally, UPF should draft a clear communication channel from the point of receipt by the quarter masters to the logistics personnel and also encourage constant feedback from the end consumers with the aim to reduce delays in deliveries and use feedback to improve on the quality of fresh food supplies.