Before our program started in 2014, Uganda’s procurement process was faced with huge corruption levels, inadequate trained staff among other issues. Infrastructure Data was barely disclosed which limited accountability and transparency among citizens, participatory monitoring and evaluation for the projects was stunt, data was non standardized with open contracting.

In 2015, we conducted a Transparency international survey(2015) which exposed that 9% of citizens in Uganda felt that the government does not do enough to fight corruption, and 35% of respondents were afraid of the consequences of reporting corrupt practices. PPDA’s procurement audits carried out in 2014, found that corruption was rampant to pre-determined bidders,104 cases of corruption were investigated in 2014/2015, and 45 companies were suspended from procurement and disposal procedures because of corrupt. 

To ensure efficiency and effectiveness in infrastructure service delivery, CoST Uganda – a chapter of CoST -The Infrastructure Transparency Initiative was expanded to Uganda with 4 core features of Data publication for infrastructure projects, independent review for infrastructure projects, social accountability for public participation and multi stakeholder engagement for a combined effort.

Find out how our CoST Uganda Programme that is implemented by Africa Freedom of Information Centre  has impactfully engaged 3000+ citizens, supported the publication of $1 billion+ USD worth of projects; trained over 50 media personnel’s on reporting about infrastructure projects- leading to 100+ infrastructure stories published, improved business practices and secured vital legal reforms including -halving performance securities and bid securities, removed bid validity periods and new government guidelines reserving 15% of contracts awards to Special Interest groups to promote inclusion of women, youth and people with disabilities. As well as been recognized with awards in combating corruption in the country. Our achievements stem from our routine share of our recommendations, our offer of our support and facilitations for trainings and our multi stakeholder partnerships. Together we can with government of Uganda fully integrating our CoST approach into their systems and processes for improved transparency/accountability of all infrastructure projects.

We continue to sincerely appreciate the media bodies who preach our key areas of action for actions from government, the Government agencies who consumes our reports and advocacy initiatives, private sector and Civil society organizations that support this move, and finally our donors that fund our initiatives -the UK Government, with CoST International our mother. 

Read more on our work: https://infrastructuretransparency.org/where/cost-uganda/