Minister Kasaija tasks PPDA Tribunal members to avoid bribes

By Sadique Bamwita
Entebbe
In abide to combat cases of corruption in the country; the Minister of Finance has tasked members of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority appeals Tribunal to avoid taking bribes. The minister said in order to address the issue of corruption the members of the tribunal must exercise high level of transparency and fairness when handling complaints from the aggrieved parties.
While addressing a five- member committee tribunal at an induction training in Entebbe, Minister Matia Kasaija noted that the problem of corruption has been exacerbated by some selfish individuals within Public Procurement and Disposal of public Assets Authority (PPPDA)
citing the delayed tarmacking of Mubende, Kakumiro, Kabale and Kagadi road which took two years without construction yet the FinancevMinistry had released the funds to do the job.
 “Can you imagine tarmacking of the road from Mubende to Kagadi failed
to kick-off for two solid years because of some selfish staffs within Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and Public Procurement and Disposal of public Assets Authority (PPPDA). In fact, the money was
almost going to be taken back to the Ministry until then works Minister Eng. John Byabagambi intervened and the road was tarmacked despite being politicized.
Minister Kasaija said with this new tribunal would help to concentrate on complaints that arise from the procurement process so as to improve
efficiency.
“I feel am disgusted with the speed government does its things and that’s why a support the new PPDA law which emphasizes expeditious handling of procurement processes.

Minister tasked the tribunal members to stick to the mandate of the tribunal which is to hear complaints from bidders and to take into account the best principles of PPDA.

“Handle matters of the tribunal fairly and make sure you keep your integrity intact during your term of office. You should not take bribes because you are going to handle complaints related to procurement. So far my office has not received any complaints against the tribunal on how it handles complaints.
“I pledge my support that the tribunal fully functions through provision of the necessary logistics.

He castigated politicians who have made it habit to monetize the politics saying this is a danger to the politics of the country.
“It’s so absurd that corruption has eaten up politics of our country.
Today to win an election you must dish out money to the voters yet in the past, leaders were voted basing on ones competence. The youth should be extremely careful because they’re ruining our country.
Mansoor Atiku Saki, the registrar of Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority tribunal said that ever since the tribunal commenced its works in July it has so far disposed off two cases
effectively.
“We are ready to serve with integrity and currently we have handled two cases and the notable one is the maintenance of Entebbe Expressway.
Benson Turamye, the Executive Director Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority, said the new tribunal would help to improve efficiency and address delays that accrue during evaluation and administrative process.
“The PPDA Act was enacted in 2003 and amended in 2014. The PPSA Appeals Tribunal will help to address delays that arise has a result of a complaint. The complaints usually occur during the evaluation and administrative process.

Meanwhile, the five- member committee Appeals Tribunal was inaugurated in July this year and was sworn-in August 28, 2020 by the principle Judge. The members include Francis Gimara (chairperson), Nelson Nelima (Vice chairperson), Eng. Thomas Brooks Isanga (member), and Geoffrey Nuwagira Kakira (member) and Paul Kalumba (member)