Financial resource mobilization practices in academic units in Makerere University

Abstract

This study examined financial resource mobilization practices in academic units at Makerere University. Guided by the resource dependency theory, I examined how academic units generate funds internally and externally. I adopted a qualitative research approach, case study research design. I collected data from 12 purposively selected participants: College Principals, Bursars and Deans of Schools through interviews. I analysed the data thematically. Findings revealed that academic units in Makerere University rely on university allocations, and income-generating activities for internal financial resource mobilization. Internal financial resource mobilization in the academic units was narrow-based, university allocations were the dominant source of internal financial resources for the academic units. The academic units mobilized financial resources externally through sourcing research grants, government subventions and grants, donations, and partnerships. The academic units relied more on externally mobilized financial resources. I conclude that while both internal and external financial resource mobilization practices exist at Makerere University, they are inadequately exploited and inconsistent in supporting sustainable revenue generation across the academic units. I recommend that academic units in the University should mitigate overreliance on external financial resource mobilization by actively engaging in capacity building for internal financial resource mobilization to ensure financial autonomy and sustainability.