Transport and logistics management is among the key technical courses that students are encouraged to study in Uganda today. This is because a good transportation system in the country can only be managed by people who are well trained.

Geoffrey Etyang a supply chain practitioner in Finance and Administration at the East African, is among the pioneers of Chartered Institute in Logistics and Transport in Uganda Management Institute (UMI).

To Etyang, there cannot be better management in transport and logistics in Uganda if people are not well trained in that field. “Currently, our country has a lot of gaps in the transport sector; our city is full of traffic jam and too many accidents. However, all this can change is people running the transport and logistics sector enrol for this training,” he says.

He observes that ever since he obtained an Advanced Certificate in Chartered Institute in Logistic and Transport, he has been able to manage his company’s fleet a well planning and managing the company’s resources efficiently.

Ï now know how to maintain my fleet. I know when to dispose of materials and this has helped my company to avoid unnecessary spending in the departments of logistics”, he adds.

Efficient business

Etyang encourages people in the transport and logistics sector to get these skills which he says will help them to effectively run their businesses. “Most people running the transport sector re only trained on driving basis but they need technical skills in transport and logistics. “he adds.

Conard Musiime, a driver in Seeta, Mukono, says training in transport and logistics managements should be every driver’s goal. To him, the course would help them learn how to take care of their vehicles and also how to use the road well to avoid getting accidents.

“I have not yet enrolled for the course, but I will because it will help me become efficient at my work,” he says.

According to Paul Wanume, the head of Chartered Institute in Logistics and Transport at UMI, the Institution has introduced a new course; Chartered Institute in Logistics and Transport (CILT) whose main aim is to bridge the gap in the transport and logistics sector.

He says in order for any economy to thrive, a well-structured transport sector is a requisite. However, Wanume observes that although a number of key players in Uganda’s transport sector re not well trained.

“Almost every organisation in Uganda has a transport department but who are the people who run these transport facilities? Are they trained on how to effectively run them? Do they know about the type of vehicles to buy? Do they know how to maintain them or how to dispose them off when the right time come?” he asks.

Reduced tasks

Wanume observes that currently, the transport sector in Uganda faces a number of challenges such as unsafe roads, overloading of vehicles especially heavy duty trucks which damage the roads. Old vehicles emit toxic gases in the air which pollute the environment and affect the ozone layer. “Majority of Ugandans are always not certain about reaching their destinations safely because of the numerous accidents on the roads,” he adds.

“If people are well trained and equipped with skills in transport and logistics management, they will be able to use the roads well, they will budget effectively and know which vehicles to purchase. They will also reduce the costs involved thus managing their transport businesses and avoiding losses,” Wanume says.

He notes that most managers of transport companies manage their costs basing on a day’s work. However, he contends that this would be properly done basing on mileage per journey. He also notes that approximately 50 percent of an economy’s budget is consumed by transport and logistics yet the sector is being run by people who are not well trained.

He encourages government and private organisations to send people in the transport sector for this training, saying it will improve their skills. “All these people in the transport and logistics departments in different government bodies need to know how to effectively manage their sector. This will help our country to avoid incidents of procuring cars that are not necessary. By the en of the training, they will know which vehicles to buy and how to maintain them so as to minimise the costs,” Wamune advises.

Wanume says with this new course, their trainees will be equipped with knowledge and skills on how to effectively manage transportation, which will help them minimise costs, increase revenue and general profits.