Uganda Government Pushes Full Automation of Procurement to Curb Corruption and Delays

The Ugandan government is advancing a plan to completely automate its public procurement processes, aiming to eliminate bureaucracy, corruption, and delays in spending trillions of shillings annually.

Godfrey Ssemugooma, acting Accountant General at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, revealed the proposal during the launch of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) strategic plan for 2025-2030. He explained that automation would cut human interactions, boost efficiency, and provide better data for decisions.

Over 65% of the national budget flows through procurement across more than 400 entities, but returns have been poor due to delays and lack of value for money. Ssemugooma cited examples of identical items bought at varying prices due to missing standardized specs and cost databases.

The existing Electronic Government Procurement (EGP) system is used end-to-end by only 36 entities, handling over 38,000 contracts. PPDA Executive Director Canon Benson Turamye said expansions target 113 entities by June 2026, with all required to post plans online.

Turamye warned procurement officers of prosecutions for delays or overpriced contracts, backed by the DPP, IGG, and others. PPDA has partnered with 28 civil society groups for real-time monitoring via smartphones.

He urged the private sector to reject bribery, noting corruption involves both sides. A recent audit flagged Shs59 billion in off-plan procurements, plus losses from splitting and inflated costs.

The new PPDA plan, costing Shs221 billion over five years, addresses past shortfalls where only 20% of goals were met.

Amendments to procurement laws are needed post-Cabinet approval, with full rollout expected in about a year.

Source: Daily Monitor