The Ministry of Defence has come under scrutiny over the award of a Shs24.5 billion contract for meals ready to eat to a single company without competitive bidding, according to findings from the Auditor General’s report presented to Parliament.
The findings were highlighted in a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report presented by Richard Wanyama, the Member of Parliament for Samia Bugwe Central.
The report also raised concerns over the procurement of ranger boots by the Ministry of Defence, with contracts reportedly awarded to a single company without competitive bidding.
The committee recommended that the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) audit the contracts to establish whether the procurement processes complied with the law.
It further urged the Secretary to the Treasury to hold the ministry’s accounting officers accountable for any breaches of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.
In a separate recommendation, the committee called on the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) to investigate the ministry’s accounting officers and an evaluation committee over the removal of a bid-security requirement during the procurement process, with a view to possible prosecution.
The committee’s recommendations highlight concerns about compliance with public procurement regulations, particularly the requirements for competitive bidding, transparency and accountability in the award of government contracts.
The findings also raise questions about oversight mechanisms intended to ensure that public funds are spent lawfully and that government procurement processes deliver value for money.
The proposed audits and investigations are expected to establish whether any procurement rules were breached and whether disciplinary or legal action against the responsible officials is warranted.
