The Ministry of Local Government, through the Procurement Inspection and Coordination Department, is undertaking procurement compliance inspections in selected Local Governments across Western and Central Uganda as part of efforts to strengthen accountability, transparency, and compliance with public procurement regulations.
The exercise, led by the Acting Commissioner for Procurement Inspection and Coordination, Mr. Johnson Musinguzi, seeks to address procurement challenges highlighted in PPDA performance reports while building the capacity of key procurement actors to effectively execute their roles and responsibilities.
So far, the inspection team has visited Rukiga District Local Government, Kisoro District Local Government, Kisoro Municipal Council, Kabale District Local Government, Kanungu District Local Government, Rukungiri District Local Government, Rukungiri Municipal Council, Sembabule District Local Government, Bukomansimbi District Local Government, and Kyotera District Local Government.
During the inspections, the team reviewed procurement records such as Procurement and disposal plans, procurement transaction files, conducted field verification visits. The team engaged Accounting Officers, Contracts Committee Members, Procurement and Disposal Unit staff, Engineers, Environment Officers, and Community Development Officers on key procurement and contract management issues.
Mr. Musinguzi emphasized the need for all civil works projects to integrate environmental, health and social safeguards throughout implementation to ensure compliance, sustainability, and the well-being of communities.
The engagements also provided an opportunity to strengthen the capacity of Contracts Committee Members and guide Local Governments on the implementation of Government Reservation Schemes, which are intended to increase the participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities for inclusive economic growth.
Local Governments must ensure that 15 percent of the Entity’s budget is reserved for women, youth, and persons with disabilities and should be reflected in their procurement plans.
He also called on Local Governments to increase bidder participation by ensuring wider access to procurement opportunities, noting that increased competition promotes value for money and creates more opportunities for communities to do business with Government.
The inspections form part of a broader Ministry initiative, with other teams deployed across different regions of the country to assess compliance, provide technical guidance, and strengthen procurement systems in Local Governments.
The Ministry expects the exercise to generate recommendations that will improve procurement performance, enhance value for money, and strengthen accountability in the management of public resources.