Senior Reporter
Authorities and residents in Kigezi Sub-region are expressing optimism towards the recently established regulations under the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act of 2023.
This positive outlook was shared during a two-day Regional Dissemination of the regulations held at Bunyonyi Safaris Hotel in Kabale. The event, organized by the PPDA Authority in partnership with the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development and the Electronic Government Procurement (EGP), brought together stakeholders to comprehend and embrace the new guidelines.
The PPDA Act, which was initially enacted in 2003 to oversee public procurement and asset disposal in Uganda, has undergone amendments in 2011 and 2021. The latest amendment in 2021, effective from July 1, 2021, introduced significant changes aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency in the procurement process. Key provisions include streamlining the Administrative Review process, reserving procurement opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises, and integrating sustainable procurement practices.
After extensive consultations, new regulations were developed and officially announced on December 8, 2023, with implementation across all government agencies commencing on February 5, 2024. These regulations aim to harmonize PPDA regulations for both Central Government and Local Government Entities, streamline procurement processes to reduce lead times, promote sustainable procurement practices, and simplify procurement procedures to minimize costs while upholding quality standards.
During the dissemination event, Ronald Bakak, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Kabale, emphasized the importance of compliance with the new regulations among technocrats. He noted that previous regulations had significant shortcomings, which the revisions aim to address.
Robert Kakuru Byamugisha, the Executive Director of Kick Corruption out of Uganda (KICK-U), remarked that improved policies and collaboration between the government and civil society would contribute to better implementation of procurement procedures.
Representing the PPDA Executive Director, Moses Ojambo, a senior manager for Performance Monitoring at PPDA, highlighted that the PPDA Regulations of 2023 encompass amendments, revocations, retentions, and new provisions across various categories, including procurement, disposal, evaluation, contracts, and administrative review. Ojambo further noted that these new policies will enhance and provide better guidance for procurement planning and negotiation processes.
The optimism surrounding the new PPDA regulations reflects a collective expectation for enhanced transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in Uganda’s public procurement and asset disposal processes.
