Lighting Uganda’s Future Through Transparent Procurement

Lighting Uganda’s Future Through Transparent Procurement

28th July 2025

This morning at the Public Procurement & Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) Head Office in Nakasero-Kampala, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) staff embarked on a week-long training on best practices in public procurement, officially opened by the Executive Director of PPDA, Benson Turamye.

For years, Uganda’s homes and businesses relied on UMEME (U) Ltd to keep the lights on. Now, as UEDCL steps into this national role, the need for transparency, efficiency, and integrity in procurement has never been greater.
In his opening remarks, Turamye emphasized the gravity of this responsibility:

“Procurement is highly regulated, and for UEDCL, it is the backbone of service delivery. You must uphold a higher standard than UMEME to avoid public outcry from darkness. Procurement is the enabler that will allow you to fulfill your national mandate,” he said.

He urged the staff to understand their roles, stressing teamwork over rivalry, and noted that PPDA has granted UEDCL accreditation to enhance their efficiency.

On his part, UEDCL Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa reminded staff of the unique demands of public procurement compared to the private sector:

“The private sector doesn’t operate like public procurement. You must learn, embrace it, and execute your work effectively,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of planning in advance, given that most of their critical supplies and equipment have longer lead times. Mr. Mwesigwa extended gratitude to PPDA for its continuous support in empowering UEDCL to succeed in this transition.

The training, which brings together both staff retained from UMEME and newly recruited personnel, is designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills to navigate Uganda’s public procurement landscape with transparency and competence.

This initiative is more than a workshop; it is a national commitment. With PPDA’s oversight and UEDCL’s dedication, Uganda is assured not only of keeping the lights on, but of doing so with accountability, planning, and integrity.

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