Assessment of the impact of maintenance management systems on the conditions of building structures in public universities: (a case study of Makerere University halls of residence)

Abstract

Makerere University halls of residence, like any other University buildings, constructed with an aim of creating a conducive environment that supports and stimulates learning, teaching, innovation and research via accommodation of students. Through the years, these buildings have deteriorated at a high rate due to many factors and one of the factors is the maintenance management system in place to maintain these halls of residence. This research sought to assess the impact of the maintenance management systems in place to the maintenance condition of these halls of residence. In order to achieve the aim of this research, four objectives were set; to find out the maintenance management system(s) used in the halls, to carry out a condition assessment for the halls of residence in Makerere university, to examine the maintenance management systems used in public universities and highlight their shortfalls and To recommend measures to improve the maintenance condition of halls of residence of public universities in Uganda. The research focused on seven halls of residence that included; Lumumba, Africa, University, Mary Stuart, Mitchel, Livingstone, Nkrumah, Nsibirwa and Complex halls. The data collection tools included; interviews, questionnaires, academic books, and archives of various maintenance websites. Data collected from interviews and questionnaires was to ascertain the maintenance management systems in place, existence of factors hindering maintenance management (technical, financial, managerial, policy and institutional) and their causes to come up with solutions. Data collected from archives and books entailed standards for maintenance practices and procedures such as corrective and preventive maintenance. Data collected from the checklist were to assess the condition of the halls and it was discovered that the condition of the halls was in a sorry state. The major output of this research was to find out the impact of the maintenance management systems to the condition of the public buildings in the universities in Uganda taking Makerere University Halls of residence as a case study.