MOLG Officers Visit Buvuma District to Strengthen Procurement Practices

Officers from the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG) are in Buvuma District for two days to support their counterparts in enhancing procurement service delivery standards. Mr. Johnson Musinguzi, the Assistant Commissioner for Procurement at MOLG, advised the district team to always refer to the correct PPDA regulations when making procurement decisions.

He emphasized that contract committee decisions should specify the status of taxes at the stage of awarding contracts. “It should be clearly stated whether the award is tax-exclusive or tax-inclusive,” he said.

The MOLG team also advised Buvuma’s procurement officers to report all micro-procurements carried out by user departments to the accounting officer or Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The district is also required to develop a plan for the disposal of public assets by the PPDA Regulations 2023.

Mr. Isa Mbooge, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Buvuma Island, noted that the unique conditions of the islands present challenges in executing some contracts, suggesting that each case should be evaluated individually.

“Contractors have to transport building materials by boat. One day in 2023, a boat capsized, six people died, and all materials were lost. So, when a contractor quotes a higher fee to construct a school compared to one on the mainland, these are issues that should be considered,” he said.

Mr. Mbooge also appealed to the Public Service, Health Service Commission, and especially the Education Service Commission, to consider recruiting qualified individuals who have been working as volunteers within the district.

“We have teachers who have been teaching without salary. These individuals have been tested and can withstand the conditions on the island,” he said. He explained that some civil servants, including teachers, are recruited but refuse to work in Buvuma. Once they are added to the payroll, they often seek transfers. The CAO also expressed appreciation for the shift from district tender boards to the electronic procurement system, noting that this system has eliminated mediocrity by linking all processes together.

Buvuma District is located on Lake Victoria and has a population of 110,000 people. It is accessible only by boat or ferry from Kiyindi in Buikwe District. The main economic activities are fishing and agriculture, particularly the cultivation of oil palm trees.

The oil palm project on Buvuma Island has so far planted 2,500 hectares of oil palm trees. The government plans to expand this to 5,000 hectares but is facing delays due to issues related to land compensation. The project has significantly boosted the economy of the 53 islands’ economy by raising household incomes, increasing local revenue through taxes, creating employment opportunities for youth and women, and improving infrastructure.

Through corporate social responsibility, the project management has contributed to constructing a modern ferry and provided equipment to the district for road maintenance.

The number of tourists visiting has also increased, crime rates have decreased due to enhanced security, and local youth are fully engaged in income-generating activities.

According to Mr. Wilson Sserunjogi, the Senior Assistant CAO and project coordinator, “You need land near a reliable water source, enough sunshine, fertilizers, and an expert to guide you on how to plant the trees.” He further explained, “In one acre, you plant 60 palm trees, an investment of 1.2 million UGX. During the harvest season, you can earn between 6 to 7 million UGX. The trees also suffocate weeds, thus reducing the costs of weeding.”