The Government of Uganda is set to implement one of the most significant public procurement reforms in recent years, the adoption of Collaborative Procurement for common user items across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Local Governments (LGs), effective 1st July 2026.

Under this arrangement, commonly procured items such as stationery, computers, motor vehicles, office equipment and other standardized supplies will be procured centrally and in bulk on behalf of participating entities.

According to the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development , Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi, the reform is intended to eliminate unnecessary duplication of procurement processes, reduce lead times, curb overpricing, and remove intermediaries that often increase procurement costs.

The expected benefits are substantial:

✔ Enhanced value for money through economies of scale
✔ Standardization of prices and quality specifications
✔ Reduced administrative and transaction costs
✔ Improved procurement efficiency and timely delivery
✔ Increased transparency and accountability
✔ Stronger safeguards against corruption and wastage of public resources

This reform aligns with international best practices and reflects Government’s commitment to strengthening public financial management and ensuring that every shilling spent delivers maximum value to citizens.

As procurement professionals, we should closely follow and support the implementation of this reform, while ensuring that the necessary systems, capacity, and stakeholder coordination mechanisms are put in place to guarantee its success.

The future of public procurement lies not only in compliance but also in innovation, efficiency, strategic sourcing, and delivering measurable development outcomes.

By Dalia Hassam, Senior Officer: Procurement and Disposal Capacity