Role of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA)

The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act 1 of 2003 set up the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) as the principal regulatory body for public procurement and disposal of public assets in Uganda. The amendments to the PPDA law have introduced several changes prominent of which is the strengthening and enhancement of the role of PPDA in the execution of its regulatory mandate.

The mandate of PPDA has been enhanced by addition of the following functions:

1Suspension of a provider by the Authority

The Authority, may following the recommendation of a Procuring and Disposing Entity, or after investigations on its own initiative suspend a provider from engaging in any procurement and disposal process for a period determined by the Authority. The grounds for suspension include:

  • Breach of the Code of Ethics of providers
  • Debarment from the procurement process of an international agency of which Uganda is n member
  • After investigations by the Auditor General and the provider is found to have a record of unsatisfactory performance
  • Conviction of provider of a corrupt practice or fraudulent practice under the PPDA Act
  • Failure by the provider to substantially perform its obligations under the contract
  • Suspension of the provider by a professional body for professional misconduct
  • Default by the provider of its obligations specified under the law
2Accreditation of an alternative procurement and disposal system

The Authority may at its own initiative or on application from an entity accredit an alternative public procurement or disposal system for an entity that may not able to comply with a procurement or disposal procedure required under PPDA Act.

3Waivers and Deviation

The Authority does not grant waivers / deviations from procurement or disposal methods and procedures including variations. The Authority only considers applications to deviate from the use of standard bidding documents, procedural forms or any other attendant documents which are not suitable for a procurement and disposal process.

4Entry into the premises of Government entities

When conducting procurement audits, compliance checks or investigations, an authorised officer of the Authority may enter any premises of a Government Entity, at a reasonable time and inspect the premises to make any inquiries that may be necessary for the collection of information.

5Directing an Entity to take corrective action

Where there is persistent or serious breach of the PPDA Act, regulations or guidelines made under the Act, the Authority may direct the concerned Government entity to take the necessary corrective action to set right the breach.

6Reservation Schemes

PPDA in consultation with a competent authority and relevant stakeholders, is mandated to specify the public procurement contracts to be subject to a reservation scheme and to designate the particular sectors, within a specified geographical area, that are eligible to participate in the reservation scheme.

What is the role of PPDA?

The Act sets up the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority to:
1Ensure the application of fair ,Competitive, transparent, non-discriminatory, and value for money procurement and disposal standards and practices
2Harmonize the procurement and disposal policy systems and practices of Central Government, Local Governments and Statutory bodies
3Set standards for the public procurement and disposal systems in Uganda
4Monitor compliance of procuring and disposing entities
5Build procurement and disposal capacity in Uganda