Search for substantive PPDA boss continues

The search for a new Executive Director of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) continues following a vacancy re-advertisement in the New Vision today.

With Cornelia Sabiiti's contract up at end of March, the PPDA board started looking for a replacement at the beginning of the year, with Anania Mbabazi believed to have emerged the best from candidates who had applied for the position. However, Finance minister Matia Kasaija stalled the appointment due to alleged ethical issues in the past.

Sabiiti's helm of PPDA came to an end on March 31, following the expiry of her contract. She was first appointed to the position in 2011, taking over from Edgar Agaba. Previously, she served as PPDA's Director of Legal and Compliance and also as secretary to the board.

During her six year tenure, Sabiiti oversaw the review of the PPDA law. These efforts eventually led to the coming into force of the amended PPDA Act on March 3^rd, 2014.

The amendments significantly changed the way public procurement is managed in Uganda in terms of efficiency, transparency and accountability. Some of the immediate benefits brought by the amended law were preference and reservation schemes which were brought to give Ugandan firms a better shot at winning government contracts.

Benson Turamye is currently acting the chief executive of the public procurement regulator as the search continues.