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  1. MAPS Initiative
  2. Assessments
  3. Country cases
  4. Uganda

Quick facts

MAPS icon for country

Countries: Uganda
Year of assessment: 2019
Procurement value: approx. 10,6 billion USD (2018)

Principal organisation: Government of Uganda
 

Main partners:

African Development Bank (AfDB)

 

Background

The MAPS assessment for Uganda was initiated to realign the country's public procurement acts with its economic reform agenda and to enhance the overall performance of the procurement system. Spearheaded by the Government of Uganda, in collaboration with the African Development Bank, the assessment reflects Uganda's commitment to improving governance and efficiency in public procurement.

Uganda's procurement system has undergone significant reforms since 1997, resulting in the establishment of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) and the enactment of comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks. Recent efforts have focused on modernizing procurement practices, particularly through the introduction of electronic government procurement (e-GP) systems, aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability.

Process

MAPS_Uganda 

The assessment process commenced in March/April 2020 but faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It resumed in February/March 2021, with adaptations made to accommodate the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The assessment relied on reviewing procurement transactions, stakeholder consultations, and a national validation workshop. These activities aimed to gather insights from various stakeholders, including government officials, procurement entities, development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector.

Despite disruptions caused by the pandemic, the assessment proceeded, demonstrating the commitment of stakeholders to improving Uganda's procurement system. Through collaborative efforts, the assessment provided valuable recommendations to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public procurement, setting the stage for meaningful reforms and improvements in service delivery and economic development.

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Key results and impacts

The MAPS assessment for Uganda yielded critical insights and recommendations aimed at enhancing the effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of the country's public procurement system.

Key Recommendations:

Legal, Regulatory, and Policy Framework: Address inconsistencies between the Act and Local Government (LG) Regulations, expedite the rollout of the e-GP system to streamline procurement processes, implement Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) practices outlined in the National Public Sector Procurement Policy (NPSSP) 2019, and establish a clear implementation plan for SPP.

Institutional Framework and Management Capacity: Integrate procurement planning with annual budget formulation, implement multi-year procurement planning to facilitate extended contracts, streamline procurement plan finalization processes, ensure timely release of budgetary funds, strengthen internal capacity for procurement training and performance measurement, and establish a central procurement body or function for consolidated procurement.

Public Procurement Operations and Market Practices: Enhance strategic procurement planning based on needs and market analysis, improve civil society participation in the procurement cycle, strengthen the private sector's capacity to bid for government contracts, assess procurement risks in key sectors, and implement measures to address identified risks.

Accountability, Integrity, and Transparency: Improve disclosure of procurement information and access to data, establish transparent consultative processes with stakeholders, strengthen enforcement of integrity measures and procurement audit recommendations, enhance internal and external auditor capacity, develop clear procedures for identifying and mitigating corruption risks, and involve civil society in oversight roles throughout the procurement cycle.

Development since the assessment:

As of 2023 the Government of Uganda have shepherded the following developments based on the findings and recommendations of the MAPS assessment:

  1. e-Government Procurement (e-GP) Implementation: Significant progress has been made with e-GP, now operational in 36 Procuring and Disposing Entities (PDEs) across both central and local government levels. This deployment includes improvements in system security and the development of training manuals, ensuring comprehensive change management activities, including online and physical training sessions for end-users and stakeholder engagement efforts.
  2. Publication of Procurement Information: Efforts have begun to enhance transparency by initiating the publication of procurement information on platforms like e-GP, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), and other relevant PDEs' websites.
  3. Harmonization of Regulations: The amendment of Section 96A of the PPDA Act in 2021 laid the groundwork for aligning regulations between central and local government entities.
  4. Alignment of Regulations to PPDA Act 2003: There's an ongoing effort to align existing regulations with the amended PPDA Act of 2003.
  5. Sustainable Procurement Practices (SPP): The incorporation of Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) principles into the amended PPDA Act signifies a commitment to environmentally and socially responsible procurement practices. This includes the development and implementation of an SPP action plan, market readiness assessments, criteria development for products, and extensive training initiatives to embed SPP practices within the procurement process.
  6. Public-Private Sector Dialogue: Various initiatives, such as public hearings organized by PPDA and Supplier Forums at the PDE level, have been initiated to facilitate dialogue between the public and private sectors. These platforms enable stakeholders to exchange views, address concerns, and foster collaboration, ultimately enhancing transparency and trust in the procurement process.