Nabbanja wants government contracts to create more jobs for Ugandans

What the report says

Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has called for changes to public procurement so government contracts do more to create jobs, support local firms and keep more spending within the country. Her remarks, delivered by Second Deputy Prime Minister Crispus Walter Kiyonga, were made at the 10th International Public Procurement Conference, held at Hotel Africana in Kampala and ending on November 5, according to The Observer.

The conference brought together procurement experts, academics, policymakers and business representatives. Nabbanja argued that public procurement should be treated as a strategic tool for economic transformation rather than only an administrative process. She said government purchasing can influence domestic industries, local supply chains and the quality of public services, especially in a country where procurement makes up a large share of annual government spending.

She urged wider use of electronic procurement, artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve transparency and oversight, while also stressing that such tools need cybersecurity, data protection and human supervision. Her broader message was that fair competition, accountability and sustainability should play a bigger role in awarding contracts.

Uganda Management Institute director general Prof James L. Nkata echoed concerns about whether African governments are capturing enough economic value from procurement spending. He also warned that digital systems alone do not eliminate corruption, even if they can reduce some risks. The discussion matters because procurement decisions can shape business opportunities, employment and how public money affects domestic development.