The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) has called for a change in mindset among government institutions to prioritise local content in public procurement, emphasizing that increased participation of Ugandan contractors can drive job creation and strengthen the national economy.
Alozious Byaruhanga, director of performance monitoring for central government at PPDA, said that while reservation schemes exist to promote local participation, some government entities continue to favor foreign contractors even when local firms have the capacity to deliver.
He warned that this practice undermines efforts to grow domestic industries.
“Strengthening local participation in procurement not only creates jobs but also ensures compliance with government policies that reserve opportunities for Ugandan contractors,” Byaruhanga said during an assessment of PPDA guidelines on reservation schemes.
Ronald Tumuhairwe, PPDA’s Manager of Local Content, urged government entities to foster joint ventures and partnership agreements with local contractors.
He said such collaborations would enhance technical capacity and build experience among Ugandan firms, enabling them to handle major projects effectively.
PPDA highlighted that in the previous year, the government spent over 32 trillion shillings on local content across sectors including technology, public relations, cleaning, and clothing.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening policies and monitoring frameworks that encourage Ugandan business participation in public procurement, promoting inclusive economic growth.