Speech by Hon. Fred Byamukama, Minister of Works and Transport, at the Stakeholder Breakfast Meeting for the Relaunch of the Data Publication Portal on the Government Procurement Portal on 11th June 2026 at PPDA, Kampala Offices.
- The Executive Director, Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority;
- Directors, Managers and Staff of PPDA;
- Representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies;
- The Representative of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Representatives of the CoST International Secretariat;
- The CoST Uganda Chapter;
- The Africa Freedom of Information Centre;
- Members of the Private Sector and Civil Society;
- Members of the Media;
- Distinguished Guests;
Protocol observed
I am honoured to join you this morning for this important occasion to relaunch the Data Publication Portal on the Government Procurement Portal.
I bring warm greetings from the Ministry of Works and Transport and from the Government of Uganda.
This event is significant because it reflects our shared commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the delivery of public infrastructure. It also demonstrates our collective resolve to ensure that public investments deliver real value to the people of Uganda.
At the outset, I wish to commend the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority for implementing and hosting this engagement, and for upgrading the Government Procurement Portal. This is an important contribution to strengthening procurement systems and promoting open government.
I also wish to thank the Africa Freedom of Information Centre for its continued technical support in advancing infrastructure transparency and procurement reform in Uganda. I equally acknowledge CoST International Secretariat, the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative, for its leadership in promoting openness, accountability, and multi-stakeholder participation in public infrastructure governance.
I further recognize the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whose contribution to CoST programmes has helped sustain this important work. Your partnership is appreciated.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Uganda is implementing major strategic investments under the Fourth National Development Plan, guided by the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy. Infrastructure is central to this national transformation. The roads, transport systems, and public works we deliver are vital for trade, connectivity, industrial growth, service delivery, and improved livelihoods.
For that reason, the way we plan, procure, implement, and monitor infrastructure projects matters greatly. It is not enough to invest public resources. We must ensure that these resources are used transparently, efficiently, and in a manner that delivers value for money.
That is why today’s relaunch is so important.
The upgraded Government Procurement Portal is not just a technology platform. It is a practical governance tool. It strengthens the publication of infrastructure data and supports more open, timely, and standardized disclosure of project information.
Through this upgraded portal, Procuring and Disposing Entities are expected to improve reporting on infrastructure projects, including environmental, social, health and safety indicators, climate finance aspects, and other modules aligned to global open contracting and CoST standards.
This is a major step forward for Uganda. It demonstrates our commitment to align with international best practice and to improve the quality, accessibility, and usefulness of infrastructure and procurement data.
This initiative is also important because it strengthens the involvement of citizens in development. When project information is proactively disclosed, citizens are better able to understand what Government is delivering, monitor implementation, raise concerns, and participate more meaningfully in promoting accountability.
Open data is not merely about publishing information. It is about empowering institutions to perform better, enabling citizens to participate meaningfully, and ensuring that every public infrastructure investment delivers measurable value to the people of Uganda.
It also enables oversight institutions to perform their mandate more effectively, helps the private sector identify opportunities, supports civil society engagement, and strengthens public trust in government systems.
As the champion Ministry for CoST Uganda, the Ministry of Works and Transport remains firmly committed to this initiative. We are committed to promoting openness in infrastructure delivery, supporting stronger accountability systems, and working with our partners to ensure that transparency leads to better project outcomes.
I therefore call upon all Procuring and Disposing Entities to fully comply with the disclosure requirements and the circular being issued today. Let this not be treated merely as an administrative requirement, but as a strategic contribution to national development.
Let us move beyond compliance and embrace data use as a tool for better planning, stronger risk management, improved monitoring, enhanced public oversight, inclusive procurement, and greater value for money.
If we sustain this effort, we will improve not only transparency, but also the quality and effectiveness of infrastructure delivery in Uganda.
With these remarks, I reaffirm Government’s support for this initiative and the Ministry of Works and Transport’s full commitment, as champion of CoST Uganda, to advancing infrastructure transparency, citizen engagement, and better value for money in public investment.
It is now my honour to officially relaunch the Data Publication Portal on the Government Procurement Portal.
For God and My Country.
Hon. Fred Byamukama-MP
Minister of Works and Transport, Uganda
Presented By: Eng. Mugenyi Tonny Richard, Commissioner Construction Industry Development and Regulation at MoWT
