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KAMPALA - The Government is finalising plans to support local engineering companies to build capacity in order to compete favourably with foreign companies, the state minister for works Musa Ecweru has said.

“We are developing a policy to support local companies that may be lacking the financial muscle. The President has given a directive on this. We shall identify companies in Uganda that can be supported with equipment. The intention is to gradually phase out foreign contractors,” he said.

The minister made the remarks on Monday, March 4, 2024, while officiating at the celebrations to mark World Engineering Day under the theme ‘Engineering solutions for sustainable world’ at Hotel Africana in Kampala.

He was responding to a concern raised by Dr. Isaac Mutenyo, the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) chairperson concern over the government’s delay in actualising the local content policy that is meant to build capacity for local engineers in bidding for major construction projects.

The minister said the government has embarked on a process of reviewing the Engineers Registration Act and other legislations that govern the engineering profession.

Minister Ecweru said the government has embarked on a process of reviewing the Engineers Registration Act and other legislations that govern the engineering profession. (All Photos by Nancy Nanyonga)

The move, he said is to streamline and check the professionalism in the industry.

Local content policy

Mutenyo submitted that the engineers’ work is capital intensive hence the need for government to support local contractors.

The Public Procurement and Disposal Authority (PPDA) guideline seeks to promote local content in public procurement, through increased input of local labour, goods, and services.

It reserves to national and resident providers: road works not exceeding sh45b, other public works not exceeding sh10b, consultancies/supplies each not exceeding sh1.0b, and non-consultancy services not exceeding sh200m. Local firms also benefit from subcontracting at least 30% of the value of works contracted to foreign providers.

On average Uganda spends up to sh6 trillion annually on public procurement, most of which flows to the national construction industry (NCI). Due to heavy reliance on foreign firms, the benefits to local companies are not visible.

ERB was established under the Engineers Registration Act as a statutory body with a mandate to regulate and control the engineering profession.

The board regulates and controls engineers and their activities and advises government on the engineering industry.

A person who becomes a member is required to submit a technical report and career report plus attending a board interview in addition to filling in a form and attaching copies of certificates for the board's processing of the documentation.

Such an engineer should have pursued a 4-year course and worked under the supervision of a senior registered engineer for not less than two years.

Representing the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, Science and technology minister, Dr Monica Musenero, noted that engineering plays a key role in shaping the economic, technological, and social landscape of a country.

Musenero delivered Among’s contribution pledge of sh50m to Engineers SACCO.