Assistant Commissioner of the Procurement and Inspection Department, Johnson Musinguzi, has urged district procurement staff to align their procurement plans with annual budgets and work plans to ensure more effective and transparent project execution.
Musinguzi stressed the importance of avoiding generic approaches when preparing bidding documents.
“Avoid copying and pasting when preparing bidding documents. You should be specific on what is required,” Musinguzi emphasized, further urging officials to conduct thorough due diligence on companies bidding for government contracts.
The call for better procurement practices comes as Mpigi District Local Government celebrates the completion of a new three-classroom block at Mpigi UMEA Primary School.
The project, funded by the Government of Uganda through the Adhock Transition Development Grant, also included the installation of two 5000-liter water tanks to support the school’s water supply.
The new classrooms, which will accommodate up to 150 students, aim to address the rising demand for education in the area.
Mpigi UMEA Primary School, located along the Mpigi-Kabasanda road, has experienced increased enrollment as part of the district’s broader efforts to improve educational infrastructure.
On Thursday, January 22, 2025, a team from the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG), led by Musinguzi, visited the school to assess the district’s service delivery.
During the visit, the team emphasized the significance of proper planning, budgeting, and procurement in ensuring efficient use of resources in development projects.
Musinguzi also stressed the need for robust monitoring and inspection mechanisms to identify and address any issues in ongoing projects.
“The quality of work, cost, and time of delivery should never be compromised,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mpigi District’s Chief Administrative Officer, Edith Namayenga, raised concerns about the low turnout of bidders for contracts below 10 million Ugandan shillings, which are intended to benefit disadvantaged groups, including women and persons with disabilities.
Namayenga attributed the low participation to the difficulties these groups face in accessing the electronic procurement system (EGP), due to limited access to smartphones, computers, and the internet.
“The lack of access to modern technology is a significant barrier,” Namayenga stated, while acknowledging the MOLG’s efforts in facilitating discussions on challenges faced by district staff.
Mpigi, a district in central Uganda, is renowned for its agricultural economy and notable tourist attractions such as the equator crossing at Kayabwe and the Mabamba Swamp.
With the ongoing construction of the Busega-Mpigi express highway, the district is poised for continued growth and improved accessibility, which is expected to reduce traffic congestion in key areas.
As new settlements emerge and land prices rise, Mpigi is on track to become a more vibrant and dynamic district in the years ahead.
