assessment of records storage and disposal at archives uganda limited

Description

A study was carried out on assessing of records storage and disposal at Archives Uganda Limited. The objectives of the study were to establish the current status of records storage and disposal at AUL; to find out how records storage and disposal at AUL is managed; to establish the challenges faced in records storage and disposal at AUL and to make suggestions to the best practices in records storage and disposal at Archives Uganda Limited. This study used case study design while embracing qualitative research approach. The study adopted purposive sampling technique in order to obtain the sample size of seven (7) respondents. In the process of collecting data, the researcher adopted three (3) collection methods that is; interview, observation and document analysis methods. Each collection method used its data collection instruments like; interview guide, observation guide and document analysis guide respectively. To ensure quality and accuracy of data, two elements were employed and those include data validity and reliability. The study established that Archives Uganda Limited receives manual records for storage that range from administrative records, personnel, research and financial records. The study further established equipments used in storage of records at Archives Uganda as; shelves, cabinets, file folders and box files and in disposal as paper shredder and adoption of third part company for recycling. The study also stressed that Archives Uganda Limited faces a number of challenges in the storage as; cost of space, limited storage equipments, dust and inadequate funds and in records disposal as; outdated retention schedule, lack of special vehicle to transfer records and lack of machine to destroy large volume of records. The researcher concluded by establishing recommendations and strategies to overcome challenges to storage and disposal as shifting storage site to a low cost storage location, purchasing car to provide safe transfer of records, acquire more storage equipment’s, providing more space and using plastic file folders rather than Manilla papers.