UCAA revives annual suppliers' forum to boost sustainable procurement
UCAA officials during the annual suppliers' forum at Imperial Resort Beach Hotel on Saturday. Photo | Eve Muganga
What you need to know:
- According to Olive Birungi Lumonya, UCAA's Deputy Director General, the forum would now be an annual event, like it used to be before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has revived its Annual Suppliers' Forum, a significant event that underscores its commitment to sustainable procurement practices. Held at Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe, the forum brought together procurement officers and suppliers under the theme "Collaboration and Partnership for Sustainable Procurement."
According to Olive Birungi Lumonya, UCAA's Deputy Director General, the forum would now be an annual event, like it used to be before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This platform is vital for strengthening collaboration and gathering feedback to enhance procurement processes," she emphasised.
Lumonya highlighted the introduction of the electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system in 2019, which has improved efficiency and accountability while reducing paperwork. UCAA is one of the ten pioneer government agencies that first embraced the eGP.
"The eGP system has greatly improved our procurement processes, making them more transparent and efficient," Lumonya said. "We are committed to sustainable procurement practices, and this forum is an important step in achieving that goal."
Eng Sooma Ayub, UCAA's Director Airports and Aviation Security, encouraged suppliers to take advantage of the opportunities to grow their businesses.
"I urge you to learn from each other, network, and share challenges to expand your businesses," he said.
Sooma also stressed the critical role procurement plays in Uganda's economy, with over 500 registered suppliers across various sectors.
"Procurement is a key driver of economic growth, and we are committed to working with our suppliers to achieve this goal," he said.
Ms Mercy Kyoshabire, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets (PPDA) Ag. Director Performance Monitoring, commended UCAA for the continued partnership with PPDA. "Public procurement is one of the tools to bring about social-economic transformation," she said.
Kyoshabire noted that mindset is a major challenge faced by local suppliers, which calls for investment in financial capacity and technical expertise.
"We need to change our mindset and approach to procurement, focusing on value for money and sustainability," she said.
The forum provided a platform for suppliers to engage with UCAA officials, share experiences, and discuss challenges and opportunities in the procurement process. It also offered an opportunity for UCAA to showcase its commitment to sustainable procurement practices and to encourage suppliers to adopt environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices.
