Leaders and local government stakeholders in Kigezi Sub Region have expressed concern over the centralization of public procurement and the awarding of contracts, emphasizing the need for decentralization to enable local governments to better execute their work, supervise projects effectively, and prioritize social and economic development in their areas.
This sentiment was voiced yesterday during the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) Appeals Tribunal stakeholders’ engagement at Cephas Inn in Kabale. The event was themed “The New Developments in Procurement Law and Practice.”
Kabale Resident District Commissioner Godfrey Nyakahuma highlighted that the centralization of procurement and awarding of contracts has been a major cause of stalled projects at the local government level. He stressed that the limited and lack of local supervision has often resulted in shoddy and delayed works.
Wilfred Arinda, the male youth councillor for Rubanda District, who also represented District Chairperson Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba, echoed similar concerns. He pointed out that districts have unique priorities and benefit significantly from direct supervision of projects, which is hindered by centralized procurement processes.
Addressing the audience, Francis Franck Kiwa, the Manager Legal at the PPDA Appeals Tribunal, explained the concept of hybrid procurement, where responsibility is shared between the relevant ministry and local authorities, depending on the sector. He encouraged local bidders to actively participate in procurement opportunities in their regions.
Kiwa also advised stakeholders to adhere strictly to the evaluation process of bidders, warning that failure to follow due procedures often results in complaints being filed with the tribunal. Common grievances include conflicts of interest by accounting officers, dissatisfaction with administrative review decisions, and lack of communication with bidders. Such disputes may lead to the cancellation of contracts or the entire procurement process.
The stakeholders’ engagement workshop served as a platform to address these challenges and advocate for reforms that will streamline procurement processes, ensuring transparency, accountability, and improved service delivery at the local government level.
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