Uganda introduces standardised pricing to end inflated infrastructure costs

In a bid to stop the inconsistent and often inflated costs of public works, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development is moving toward a standardised unit cost model for all government infrastructure projects.

Isaac Kyaligoza, the Commissioner for Procurement Policy at the Ministry, revealed that the government is developing rigorous frameworks to ensure that roads, bridges, and public buildings of similar specifications carry a uniform price tag, regardless of which agency is managing the project.

He was speaking during a dissemination meeting on emergency procurement reforms held on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, at the Fontis Hotel and Residences in Kampala.
Organized by Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), the meeting presented key findings from the study Crisis Emergencies, State Responses, and ‘Windows’ of Corruption, alongside insights from oversight reports by the Office of the Auditor General, the Inspectorate of Government, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority, and others, as well as the 2021 PPDA Guidelines for Procurement in Emergency Situations.

Kyaligoza pointed out a persistent flaw in the current system: identical infrastructure projects often cost significantly different amounts depending on the location or the implementing agency.

To fix this, the Ministry is building costing models that break down every essential input.

“Government is developing costing models that account for key inputs — including labor, equipment, and materials — to ensure consistent pricing and improve value for money,” Kyaligoza explained.

Collaborative procurement

Beyond price standardisation, Kyaligoza also announced a shift toward collaborative procurement. This strategy will allow multiple public entities to pool their requirements and buy commonly used items in bulk. 

By leveraging the government’s massive purchasing power, the Ministry aims to drive down unit prices through bulk discounts, reduce administrative overhead by running fewer but larger tenders, and improve efficiency across the entire public service sector.

The Commissioner acknowledged that while digital tools are vital, they must be backed by human and legal accountability. 

He noted that the reforms are a direct response to ongoing challenges in procurement capacity and compliance.

Under the new direction, authorities are tightening oversight and will aggressively pursue accountability in instances where public funds cannot be properly accounted for.

“While challenges remain, the focus now is on practical reforms that strengthen transparency, efficiency, and collaboration across government,” Kyaligoza stated.

These measures are part of a broader national strategy to modernise financial governance and ensure every shilling spent translates into visible service delivery for citizens.

Gilbert Sendugwa, executive director AFIC, welcomed reforms aimed at standardising prices and specifications in public procurement, particularly for infrastructure projects, saying inconsistent pricing creates room for inflated costs.

“When similar projects cost different amounts without clear justification, that creates room for abuse,” he said.

“Standardisation is essential for value for money.”

However, he cautioned that emergency procurement continues to pose significant risks because of the rapid decisions required.

“Emergencies must not become a loophole for weak accountability,” he said. “Institutions must still plan, report and justify their decisions.”