PPDA tribunal calls for overhaul of public asset disposal process
The PPDA Appeals Tribunal team joins stakeholders during an engagement on new developments in procurement law. PHOTO/Shabibah Nakirigya
What you need to know:
Speaking during a stakeholder meeting in Entebbe on Wednesday, the tribunal’s registrar, Mr Mansoor Atiku Saki, said many complaints stem from irregularities in the evaluation process, including alleged tampering with bid criteria
The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Appeals Tribunal has called on the government to revisit the country’s public asset disposal procedures, citing a growing number of complaints from aggrieved bidders.
Speaking during a stakeholder meeting in Entebbe on Wednesday, the tribunal’s registrar, Mr Mansoor Atiku Saki, said many complaints stem from irregularities in the evaluation process, including alleged tampering with bid criteria.
“When entities invite bids, they specify the criteria on which bidders will be evaluated. However, we’ve observed that some evaluation committees alter these criteria midway, effectively locking out some dealers,” Mr Atiku said.
He added that such changes often prompt appeals to the tribunal, as bidders question the basis upon which contracts were awarded.
Mr Atiku also expressed concern over cases where entities fail to publicly display notices of the best-evaluated bidders, denying others an opportunity to understand where they fell short.
“The law requires entities to notify all bidders and explain why they were unsuccessful. This would resolve most of the pending grievances, but some only focus on announcing the best bidder,” he said.
The registrar further noted that bid requirements are often restrictive and tailored to favor specific parties, which undermines fair competition.
“We have also received objections claiming the tribunal cannot handle cases funded by international donors like the World Bank. Yet most of these bidders are victims of flawed processes,” he said.
Mr Atiku cited challenges the tribunal faces in accessing the Electronic Government Procurement (EGP) system, which hampers timely investigations.
“When a complaint is filed, we must begin investigations immediately, but delays occur because we are not integrated into the EGP system,” he said. “Some entities also delay sharing procurement documents, further stalling the process.”
The tribunal chairperson, Mr Francis Gimala, stressed the need for bidder training to close knowledge gaps that often lead to avoidable appeals.
“Many users approach the tribunal without understanding its mandate or procedures. They don’t consult procurement experts, which leads to weak cases,” he said.
Mr Erasto Kibirango, the Luwero District Chairperson, raised concerns about interference by politicians and accounting officers who manipulate procurement processes to favor certain bidders.
“We’ve had complaints of officials tampering with documents to lock out competitors. The tribunal has advised that all bidding documents be disclosed to ensure transparency,” Mr. Kibirango said.
He warned political leaders against colluding with accounting officers, noting that such behavior ultimately harms the public, who are the intended beneficiaries of government contracts.
About the Tribunal
The PPDA Appeals Tribunal was established in July 2014 to hear complaints from aggrieved bidders or procurement entities. It has resolved 178 cases in the last five years and currently has no backlog.
By law, complainants must file appeals within ten days of a best bidder notice being issued. The tribunal is then required to issue a resolution within 15 days.
