Uganda to launch next-gen e-procurement system to curb corruption

________________

Uganda is set to roll out an upgraded electronic government procurement system, e-GP version two, as part of reforms aimed at eliminating manual loopholes, reducing procurement timelines and strengthening transparency in public spending.

The announcement was made on February 18, 2026, during a stakeholder workshop at the Fontis Hotel in Kampala. The meeting, convened by the Africa Freedom of Information Centre, focused on emergency procurement, an area often cited as vulnerable to corruption during crises.

Isaac Kyaligoza, the commissioner for procurement policy at the Ministry of Finance, said the country’s Integrated Financial Management System has matured to the point where physical cheques are no longer used.

Kyaligoza added that the system now supports online payments, consultations and financial transactions across public institutions.

“The system has matured to the point where we are everywhere, and we no longer prepare cheques — we pay online,” he said, adding that digital platforms are now central to government operations.

He explained that government began developing a structured electronic procurement platform in 2017 to address inefficiencies in planning and contracting, although early implementation faced challenges, including system upgrades and evolving user requirements.

With support from development partners, including the World Bank, the system was later assessed positively and described as among the most advanced in the region.

The platform is now being integrated with other government and financial systems, including banking and budgeting frameworks, to eliminate manual processes and shorten procurement timelines.

“Why should bidding take 30 working days when we are operating electronically?” Kyaligoza asked, noting that digital integration is expected to significantly reduce procurement cycles.

He added that the second phase of e-GP will address challenges experienced under manual and earlier digital systems.

According to him, the procurement regulator collects procurement plans and monthly reports from public entities to strengthen monitoring and compliance. Institutions are required to update procurement plans following emergencies and report related activities.

Transparency concerns remain

During the event, Gilbert Sendugwa, executive director of the Africa Freedom of Information Centre, said electronic systems are helping to streamline procurement and financial management, but warned that technology alone cannot guarantee accountability.

“These digital platforms are helping to remove inefficiencies and improve accountability,” he said.

“But technology alone is not enough — strong oversight and transparency must remain central.”

He emphasised the need to integrate procurement systems with budgeting and financial platforms to shorten timelines and reduce opportunities for abuse.

He called for stronger collaboration among government, regulators, civil society and development partners to ensure that reforms translate into meaningful accountability.

Emergency procurement risks

Hilda Kemigisha Mwesigwa, deputy head of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), warned that emergency procurement, while necessary during crises, exposes public systems to heightened corruption risks if not carefully managed.

“Emergency situations create high exposure to corruption risks because decisions are made under pressure, markets are unstable, and oversight mechanisms may be limited,” she said.

She explained that Uganda’s procurement law defines emergencies as urgent and unforeseeable situations not caused by negligent conduct, including disasters, threats to life or the environment, and deterioration of public assets.

However, she cautioned against confusing genuine emergencies with avoidable crises resulting from poor planning.

“Emergency procurement is not procurement without rules,” she said, noting that institutions must still ensure competition wherever possible.

Mwesigwa said existing guidelines provide safeguards such as shortened timelines, simplified procedures, due diligence requirements and publication of procurement decisions.

However, the authority has observed persistent weaknesses in preparedness for recurring emergencies such as floods, landslides and disease outbreaks.

She urged agencies to adopt proactive planning, forecasting and long-term framework contracts.

She also cited delays in some emergency procurements, including reconstruction of selected road sections awarded through direct procurement to China Communications Construction Company along the Masaka-Kampala highway. The process took 166 working days from initiation in May 2023 to contract signing in January this year.

“This shows that simplified procedures do not automatically guarantee speed,” she said, adding that weaknesses in contract management remain a concern.

She said the reforms, supported by the Open Contracting Partnership, are intended to strengthen accountability and responsiveness in public procurement systems across Uganda, particularly during times of crisis.