On March 22, 2024, the Government of Uganda took a major policy step to enhance women’s
economic empowerment. Uganda joined only Kenya and Tanzania by launching guidelines on the reservation scheme for public contracts for women, youth and persons with disabilities. The Guidelines seek to operationalize Section 59B of the amended Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act to give public contracts to special groups.
Research funded by the International Development Centre (IDRC) undertaken by the Africa Freedom
of Information Centre (AFIC) and partners on the barriers to women’s participation in public
procurement found that whereas governments in region spend over 60% of national budget through
public procurement, women-owned businesses take less than 1%, making it nearly impossible to
address gender inequality. The research recommended among others, the need for policies to reserve
contracts for women, providing legal definition of women owned businesses, ensuring timely
payment of contractors, strengthening policy monitoring by providing for gender disaggregated data
as well as raising awareness, strengthening technical and financial capacities of women entrepreneurs
to effectively participate in public procurement.
Welcoming the new Guidelines on reservation of contracts for women, youth and PWDs, AFIC’s
executive director commented thus:
“It is delightful that the Government of Uganda positively responded to the compelling evidence from the research. Members of Parliament, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority were convinced that reserving contracts for women owned businesses was not only important but urgent as well”- Gilbert Sendugwa, AFIC Executive Director.
On her part, Hon Rita Atukwasa who used evidence from the research to mobilise other Members of
Parliament to demand the Government to issue Guidelines observes:
“For me it has always been an issue of great concern that women in rural districts and Cities outside the Capital like Mbarara City which I represent were excluded from enormous opportunities in public procurement. The government is wealthy with big business opportunities therefore to build strong women in the business community I had to take up this matter and use my space in Parliament to urge the Government to operationalise the reservation of contracts for women”- Hon Rita Atuwasa, MP Mbarara City.
Women entrepreneurs have welcomed this affirmative action that will enhance their ability to compete
for tenders amongst themselves and grow their businesses. Ms Daphne Nafula, anentrepreneur notes
thus,
“I am so pleased with this government initiative; preparation of bids is costly and competing with established businesses was a major strain for new women-owned businesses. However, the government should go further to help women. 30% of the payment should be paid in advance and 70% as soon as the contract has been delivered”. – Ms Daphne Nafula, Business woman.
Implementation of these Guidelines will also address another significant challenge. Our research found that 69% of the few women owned businesses currently participating in public procurement were based in Kampala and Wakiso- two out of the country’s 139 districts. Government needs to raise awareness of the Guidelines and be more intentional in increasing access to information procurement opportunities and capacities of women to interpret, prepare responsive bids and effectively execute awarded contracts.
While the role of government agencies is crucial, successful implementation of these Guidelines will
also require concerted efforts of women, youth and PWD entrepreneurs, development partners, CSOs
and journalists. There is urgent need to support these efforts by everyone.
