UGANDA HOSTS THE 14TH EAST AFRICAN PROCUREMENT FORUM

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UGANDA HOSTS THE 14TH EAST AFRICAN PROCUREMENT FORUM.

The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) on behalf of the Government of Uganda hosted the 14th East African Procurement Forum (EAPF 2023) at Sheraton Kampala Hotel Gardens, Kampala –Uganda.

The 2 Day forum was held under the theme: “Open Contracting as a Vehicle for Sustainable Development.”

The main objective of the Forum or was? to enhance the agenda of the integration of the East African Community, and create a framework to learn and benchmark legal framework and best practices in the public procurement practice across the East African Region. (framework twice?)

Representatives from procurement regulatory bodies, contractors, suppliers, and public procurement training institutions of the East African Community converged in Kampala to discuss ways in which public procurement can be made more efficient and digital to aid fast-tracking of Contracts and completion of works while ensuring sustainability for beneficiary communities.

The East African Procurement Forum is an annual event that started in Uganda in 2008 and it was our honor as pioneers to be hosting it once more.During the Forum a series of discussions ensued on emerging issues in public procurement such as; Beneficial Ownership, Integrating Environmental, Social, Health and Safety aspects in public sector procurement, Open Contracting for sustainable and equitable Public procurement, Acquisition of an e-procurement system towards ensuring accountability in public tenders, and Contract Management. Civil Society also made presentations on Contract Monitoring in Uganda.

At the 14thEast African Procurement Forum, the august delegation resolved to;

  • Implement open contracting data standards to ensure transparent and equitable public procurement.
  • Mainstream sustainability provisions (Environment, Social, Health & Safety) in public procurement.
  • Ensure effective application of Electronic Government Procurement (eGP)
  • Implement, monitor and report the application of Beneficial Ownership information.
  • Innovate contract management through digital solutions and effective stakeholder engagement.
  • Harmonize the application of local content in EAC
  • Lobby the EAC Secretariat to facilitate EAPF as a Sustainability plan for EAPF.
  • Hand over the mantle to Burundi as the Host of the 15th East African Procurement Forum (EAPF)to be organized in November 2023.

Retired Major Jessica Alupo Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, representing the President, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni highlighted that the Forum has advanced the agenda of integration of the East African Community since the EAC has become stronger and bigger with seven partner states, a population of more than 280 million people and a combined GDP of more than US$100 billion (where did you get this figure? It should be more than US$300bn) every year through public procurement.

“Uganda has shifted focus from the traditional, public procurement system to the Electronic Government Procurement(e-GP) as one of the key Public Sector Management Reform Initiatives to transform Government service delivery. At the moment, 36 Government entities are fully utilizing the system. The Country expects full roll out by 2025.” She said.

Rt. Hon Rebecca Kadaga, 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs added that the East African Procurement Forum will help to bridge the gap between the East African Community and its procurement agencies to see that it is feasible. (did she say this? And is there a gap anyway between the EAC and it procurement agencies?)

This, she says, should be a building block  of EAC to start doing business the way it is done between the European states however???? it requires regional integration.

Hon. Henry Musasizi, State minister for General Duties at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development noted that Over 60% of the budget is spent through Public procurement. Some of the outcomes of this Forum will help improve contract management, thereby improving service delivery.

Mr. Benson Turamye, Executive Director PPDA highlighted that 14th EAPF comes at a time when most of the partner states are implementing the electronic government procurement (eGP) systems aimed at enhancing transparency in public procurement. To achieve the anticipated benefits on transparency, the Regional Procurement Agencies need to adopt open contracting data standards which provide for open access to procurement related information, and hence transparency.

For more information

Contact:

Mr. CrisMagoba – Manager Corporate& Public Affairs

Tel: +414-311128 | 0772569109

Email: cmagoba@ppda.go.ug