The Business Integrity Initiative in Uganda, in the Media

Published By CoST Admin |  February 21, 2021

With financial support from the UKs Business Integrity Initiative, we have been implementing an action to “Promote Fair Business Practices between Government and the Private Sector in Uganda” the action run from December 2019 to February 2021. It was aimed at realizing the following objectives;

1. To increase disclosed data to 60 points as per the ids standard.
2. To increase competition in doing business with government agencies
3. To strengthen transparency in procurement processes of infrastructure projects.

Key under this initiative was to promote disclosure by government institutions, and facilitate stakeholders through trainings and provision of information for the media and the civil society to use disclosed data to engage duty bearers to account, and influence reforms in the public infrastructure delivery processes. We share with you an outline of the key media publications through the one year of implementation, and looking forward to your feedback.

1. https://businessfocus.co.ug/new-online-monitoring-tool-to-improve-transparency-in-public-infrastructure-projects/
2. https://gorillanationug.com/2020/02/21/cost-uganda-launched-an-electronic-infrastructure-monitoring-tool-e-imt/
3. http://pressug.com/new-online-public-infrastructure-monitoring-tool-launched-to-enhance-transparency/
4. https://www.cost.or.ug/the-utopia-we-want-in-uganda/
5. https://www.cost.or.ug/cost-ugandas-electronic-infrastructure-monitoring-tool-e-imt-set-to-standardize-infrastructure-monitoring/
6. https://www.cio.co.ke/ministry-of-works-uganda-unveils-online-tool-to-improve-transparency-in-infrastructure-projects/
7. Inadequate Information Discloser Undermining Infrastructure Investments-Experts; https://businessfocus.co.ug/inadequate-information-discloser-undermining-infrastructure-investments-experts/
8. https://shiftmedianews.com/exclusive-the-cries-of-a-frustrated-investor-as-usd8m-is-threatened-with-wastee/
9. https://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Twists-and-turns-winning-government-contracts/688616-5484286-m6gdfrz/index.html
10. https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1516749/local-contractors-bag-sh1-trillion
11. https://www.cost.or.ug/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/CoST-Uganda-calls-for-Infrastructure-Transparency-during-COVID19_Press-Statement_f.pdf
12. https://shiftmedianews.com/govt-needs-to-address-infrastructure-transparency-in-the-current-situation/
13. https://www.cost.or.ug/government-mdas-urged-to-disclose-public-infrastructure-information-to-enhance-transparency/
14. Live stream of the 1^st high level meeting on Fair Business practices; https://youtu.be/mp1cHyfZo2Q
15. Live stream of the high level meeting; https://www.facebook.com/UBCUganda/videos/276834290065888/
16. https://shiftmedianews.com/delays-in-procurement-affects-budget-absorption-cost-uganda-report/
17. Paid Talk show on NTV on Infrastructure transparency during COVID-19; https://youtu.be/FWfy_pKHFNg
18. https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/videos/1343192495870904/?v=1343192495870904
19. Unpaid talk show on NTV https://youtu.be/ttLqWnZLXlw
20. Paid talk show on BBS https://youtu.be/JObCAqJJz0g
21. Paid talk show on UBC TV; https://youtu.be/H6A-mw1p9BM
22. Paid talk show on UBC TV 4^th Assurance findings https://youtu.be/cX3ay4VNBUo
23. Unpaid Talk show UBChttps://youtu.be/H6A-mw1p9BM
24. NTV free news highlights https://youtu.be/fyMNwmYUsWs
25. NTV free news highlights https://youtu.be/tINGbWmAGk0
26. Paid feature story in Daily Monitor; https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/prosper/infrastructure-report-reveals-increase-in-disclosed-projects–2305108
27. https://trustednewsug.com/index.php/2021/02/02/local-engineers-reveal-why-foreign-contractors-dominate-ugandas-market/
28. Press release by CoST Uganda; (https://www.cost.or.ug/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/CoST-Uganda-calls-for-Infrastructure-Transparency-during-COVID19_Press-Statement_f.pdf)
29. https://shiftmedianews.com/fair-business-practices-between-government-and-the-private-sector-in-uganda-increasing-cost-report/
30. http://infrastructuretransparency.org/news/engaging-the-private-sector-for-more-competitive-effective-procurement-in-uganda/
31. https://www.cost.or.ug/download/infrastructure-report-reveals-improvements-in-disclosure_monitor-publications-extract-22nd-sept-2020-page-26/
32. https://www.ntv.co.ug/ug/features/costs-and-benefits-of-building-drc-roads-talk-of-the-nation-2462622
33. Blog by Patrick Jaramogi, Journalist https://shiftmedianews.com/bribery-challenges-still-dog-procurement-processes-among-local-firms-ppda/
34. Blog by Drake Nyamugabwa; Gov’t  urged to fully enforce the preference & reservation scheme to support local firms participate in infrastructure projects. – https://joripress.com/govt-urged-to-fully-enforce-the-preference-reservation-scheme-to-support-local-firms-to-participate-in-infrastructure-projects
35. Blog by Musisi Lwanga Andrew.PressUg: Roko Construction Contract For Mulago Specialized Hospital Terminated, Multiple Time Extensions. – http://www.pressug.com/roko-construction-contract-for-mulago-specialized-hospital-terminated-multiple-time-extensions
36. Spotlight: “Uganda’s infrastructural problem is about maintenance” #NilePostNews #NBSUpdates Read more: https://bit.ly/3sddMAO
37. Blog by Drake Nyamugabwa; The new NWSC water supply project at 70% complete is set to serve  over 170,000 people  in Sembabule district – https://joripress.com/the-new-nwsc-water-supply-project-at-70-complete-set-to-serve-over-170000-people-in-sembabule-district
38. Facebook; https://twitter.com/CostUgChapter/status/1359394811959078912?s=08
39. Infographics live link; https://infogram.com/1pyy3963edl3rxt3m2zljrqqlmcyxzk6ey9?live
40. Blog by Patrick Jaramogi; https://shiftmedianews.com/auditrenovation-of-kawolo-hospital-raises-hopes-of-addressing-eminent-health-challenges/
41. Blog by a journalist from New Vision; https://newvisionapp.page.link/s2QPbJtbC4rSFMDFA
42. The independent; “Transparency in government projects is taking root – new report” https://www.independent.co.ug/transparency-in-government-projects-is-taking-root-new-report/
43. Basel Institute interview; https://baselgovernance.org/blog/cost-uganda-collective-action-approach-integrity-infrastructure-procurement
44. The Infrastructure Blog; https://infrastructure.co.ug/infrastructure-projects-improve-transparency-information-disclosure/
45. Blog by Journalist; https://infrastructuretransparency.org/news/cost-assurance-process-shines-light-on-covid-19-local-content-and-inclusion-in-ugandas-infrastructure/
46. 4^th Assurance Process, press release; https://www.cost.or.ug/download/ray-of-sunshine-a-press-release-on-the-4th-assurance-process-in-uganda/
47. Story of change, Busoga Mwiri Access Road; https://www.cost.or.ug/citizens-around-busoga-college-mwiri-celebrate-the-new-tarmac/
48. 4^th Assurance Report, Blog: https://www.cost.or.ug/cost-uganda-launches-the-4th-assurance-report-the-office-of-the-prime-minister-commits-to-take-action-on-the-findings-and-recommendations/
49. Blog by Patrick Jaramogi, Journalist; https://shiftmedianews.com/ray-of-sunshine-contracts-awarded-to-local-firms-on-the-rise-cost-uganda-report/
50. CoST Blog, Drake Nyamugabwa, Journalist; The new NWSC water supply project at 70% complete is set to serve  over 170,000 people  in Sembabule district – https://joripress.com/the-new-nwsc-water-supply-project-at-70-complete-set-to-serve-over-170000-people-in-sembabule-district
51. Live stream link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdU_4QDQ4k_8Ry7f8IITJ0Q
52. https://nilepost.co.ug/2021/02/23/spotlight-ugandas-infrastructural-problem-is-about-maintenance/
53. Dedicated publication on KCCA projects; https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kampala-infrastructure-development-shrouded-in-secrecy-3307466
54. Paid talkshow on Impact FM; https://www.facebook.com/840830859347441/videos/915548569213965

Please note, this list will be updated from time to time, it does not include links of over 20 radios, and some Televisions that have aired issues about fair business practices in Uganda during the project life time.

Our compliments and appreciation goes to all media houses, journalists who have embraced this issue/agenda and we call on you to carry-on the action.