In a recent inquiry into the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s (UWA) contracting practices, revelations from the December 2023 Auditor General’s report shed light on discrepancies surrounding a contract with MFI Document Solutions. The contract, aimed at developing software for booking and revenue collection for gorilla permits, came under scrutiny after MFI failed to deliver despite receiving a substantial upfront payment.
The Chairperson of the Committee on COSASE, Medard Lubega Sseggona, wasted no time in questioning UWA’s Director of Finance and Administration, Jimmy Mugisa, regarding the lack of due diligence in the contractor selection process. Sseggona’s pointed inquiry highlighted the apparent mismatch between MFI’s specialization in hardware and the software-related task they were entrusted with.
Mugisa defended UWA’s actions, explaining that they followed standard procurement procedures, inviting bids and selecting MFI as the best bidder. However, it became evident that due diligence was lacking, as other interested and potentially more qualified bidders were overlooked.
Stephen Masaba, UWA’s Director of Tourism and Business Development, acknowledged the oversight, conceding to the committee’s concerns. The failure to conduct due diligence was further compounded by the subsequent legal battles to reclaim the initial payment made to MFI.
As the session progressed, attention turned to accountability within UWA’s hierarchy, with questions raised about the role of the Contracts Committee and the decision-making process behind awarding contracts to seemingly unqualified firms. Sabilla Chemonges, the Deputy Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs, faced tough questions regarding oversight responsibilities, admitting to the committee that there was indeed a lack of oversight.
Medard Sseggona reiterated the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the significant financial losses and legal expenses incurred by UWA due to the oversight. The failure to conduct due diligence not only resulted in a loss of over Shs150 million but also highlighted systemic weaknesses within UWA’s procurement processes.
This inquiry serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence in procurement practices, especially when public funds are at stake. Moving forward, it is imperative for UWA and other government agencies to strengthen their oversight mechanisms to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
