Research: Factors affecting private sector participation in public infrastructure procurement in Uganda_Summary paper

The participation of the private sector in public infrastructure procurement processes has been perceived to be very limited, unfair and unbalanced. From this background, CoST Uganda embarked on assessing the factors that inhibit the private sector from participating in public infrastructure procurement processes.

The purpose of the study was to assess the factors that inhibit the private sector from participating in public infrastructure procurement and; develop recommendations that will increase competition and the participation of the private sector (local and foreign) in public infrastructure procurement processes.

The study identified the following as key factors limiting the private sector participation in the public infrastructure procurement processes, and these include clustering, unrealistic bid qualification requirements, dependency on development aid, limited implementation of guidelines on reservation scheme, unfavourable procurement laws, financing, unfavourable competition with resident and foreign providers, and corruption.

We invite stakeholders to use these results to engage for fair business practices in the sector. Please endeavor to acknowledge the work in this study as undertaken by CoST Uganda.