KANUNGU – District Local Governments have been encouraged to use public procurement as a powerful tool to create jobs, support local businesses, and uplift vulnerable groups in society.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The charge was issued on May 22, 2026, by Johnson Musinguzi, the Assistant Commissioner for Procurement Inspection and Coordination at the Ministry of Local Government, during an engagement with the stakeholders of Kanungu District Local Government.
The meeting brought together procurement officials, Contracts Committee members, accounting officers, Community Development Officers, and other technical staff in the Health Department Boardroom at the District Headquarters.
The initiative forms part of a nationwide Ministry of Local Government campaign to raise procurement awareness across all districts of Uganda and has already been held in some districts of the Kigezi sub-region.
Assistant Commissioner Johnson Musinguzi said public procurement is one of the government’s strongest tools for economic empowerment.
He revealed that over 60 percent of local government budgets are spent through procurement processes. This gives local governments a major chance to support women, youths, and persons with disabilities through reservation schemes.
Musinguzi noted that the government has already reserved opportunities for enterprises owned by these groups to create jobs, boost local business, and raise household incomes.
“Public procurement is one of the government’s strongest tools for helping people earn a living. Over 60 percent of local government money is spent through procurement. This gives local governments a big chance to help women, youth, and persons with disabilities by reserving opportunities for their businesses to create jobs and increase family incomes,” said Musinguzi.
Musinguzi added that the government has heavily invested in industrial hubs and skilling programmes to give young people practical skills, with procurement systems in position to bridge skilled youths to sustainable economic opportunities.
He challenged Community Development Officers (CDOs) to work harder at mobilizing women, youths, and persons with disabilities to form groups and enterprises capable of participating in public procurement.
Kanungu District Senior Procurement Officer, Mujuni Elisa, commended the Ministry of Local Government for spearheading a timely and transformative initiative for local communities.
He shared that the district already reserves 15 percent of its procurement budget for Special Interest Groups, with all contracts below UGX 10 million set aside for them each financial year.
“The Ministry of Local Government has started a timely and transformative initiative for local communities. Our district reserves 15 percent of its procurement budget for Special Interest Groups, and all contracts below UGX 10 million are set aside for them each year. This helps marginalized groups access government business and increase household incomes,” said Mujuni Elisa.
However, Mujuni encouraged eligible beneficiaries to form organized groups, register their companies, and formally register with the Community Based Services Department to fully benefit from the available opportunities.
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