The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Appeals Tribunal is set to roll out a digital case filing system next year as part of a broader reform agenda aimed at improving access to justice, enhancing efficiency, and strengthening transparency in the resolution of public procurement disputes.
“The shift to digital filing will enable parties across the country to submit procurement-related complaints online, eliminating the need for physical travel to Kampala,” said Mr Francis Kiwa, the Tribunal’s Manager Legal. “Once we automate our registry, a person in Karamoja or Kisoro will not need to travel to Kampala to file an application.”
According to Kiwa, the digital system will allow complainants to file matters online, and institutions such as the Ministry of Finance and the E-Government Procurement (EGP) team will access documents in real-time. This move is expected to increase access to justice, particularly for those in remote areas.
Kiwa noted that limited knowledge and capacity gaps among procurement providers and entities contribute to many cases before the Tribunal.
“We have observed a serious lack of understanding of procurement laws and procedures. These gaps often lead to failures, increasing complaints to the Tribunal,” he said.
Deliberate non-compliance and internal bureaucracy within government entities also cause delays. “Documents take up to five days to move from an entity’s central registry to the accounting officer. Yet procurement timelines are strict – the accounting officer has only 10 days to act,” Kiwa said. He added that these internal delays lead to disputes escalating to the Tribunal.
The Registrar of the PPDA Appeals Tribunal, Mr Atiku Saki Mansoor, emphasized the Tribunal’s mandate for fair, impartial, and timely dispute resolution, calling it a cornerstone of accountability in public finance management.
“This is not just a legal process. It is a critical pillar for ensuring transparency, value for money, and trust in how public resources are utilised for national development,” Mansoor said.
The Tribunal plans to integrate artificial intelligence, strengthen capacity building for its members, procuring and disposing entities, and staff, and enhance collaboration with institutions like the Judiciary.
“Appeals from the Tribunal go to the High Court, which is the final decision-maker on procurement matters. Continued engagement with the Judiciary and other stakeholders is therefore essential,” Atiku added.
The PPDA Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body resolving disputes arising from public procurement and disposal processes in Uganda. Its mandate includes reviewing procurement decisions, ensuring compliance with procurement laws and regulations, and providing remedies where breaches are established.
The Tribunal’s decisions have far-reaching implications for government operations and the economy, impacting service delivery and the economy, yet often go unreported.
The planned reforms are intended to improve efficiency, expand public access to the Tribunal’s services, and promote accountability across Uganda’s public procurement system.