The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has expressed concern over the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) involvement in government contract awards, warning that the practice is stunting the growth of local companies and poses a risk to the country’s economic development.
Addressing journalists at the PFF headquarters on Katonga Road in Kampala, the party’s Deputy President, Dr Lulume Bayiga, criticised the military’s increasing role in securing government contracts.
He argues that local companies established by Ugandan taxpayers are being squeezed out as more projects are awarded to the army.
Bayiga alleges that the UPDF is securing contracts through processes that bypass procurement laws.
According to him, the military has taken over projects involving the construction of schools, hospitals, a nd roads without oversight from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) or routine government inspections.
He describes the development as a “full militarisation” of government agencies.
The UPDF Engineering Brigade is currently handling several major government construction projects, including road construction and rehabilitation in Kampala and other parts of the country, as well as renovation works at Namboole Stadium.
However, private contractors have raised concerns that the arrangement undermines their businesses and compromises fair procurement processes.
By URN
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