Government leaders in Nakasongola and Masindi districts have been urged to strengthen due diligence in procurement to ensure value for money and prevent financial losses.
Johnson Musinguzi, the acting Commissioner for Procurement Inspection at the Ministry of Local Government, emphasized this during meetings with district officials on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Musinguzi warned that procurement committees must take full responsibility for vetting service providers to prevent mismanagement of government funds.
"No funds should be lost due to negligence in the procurement process," he stressed.
The meetings aimed to enhance the capacity of local government officers in procurement best practices and operationalizing recent amendments by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA).
However, district leaders cited several challenges, including political interference, understaffing, and low bidder turnout.
They also noted that some government projects struggle to attract bidders due to low funding and high tax burdens compared to donor-funded projects, which often enjoy tax exemptions.
Masindi Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Tappy Namulondo, called for standardized costs for similar projects to ensure fairness and efficiency.
Meanwhile, Nakasongola CAO, Aggrey Mulamula , highlighted how bureaucratic delays negatively impact service delivery.
To improve procurement efficiency, Musinguzi advised district officials to start the process early, adhere strictly to approved plans and budgets, and ensure proper documentation.
He also cautioned accounting officers against signing contracts before the Ministry of Finance releases the necessary funds.
Godfrey Ssempagama, a Senior Procurement Officer from PPDA, reminded officials to avoid financial commitments beyond a single fiscal year.
He also emphasized the importance of reserving projects valued at shs10 million and below for women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and ensuring thorough environmental impact assessments before project initiation.
By addressing these challenges and implementing best practices, district leaders can enhance procurement transparency and efficiency, ultimately improving service delivery to communities.