The contract award has drawn scrutiny due to a UGX 57 billion disparity between the awarded bid and the lowest bid submitted by Lankaran Yol Tinkinti OJSC in partnership with UCA Insaat, which was UGX 448.8 billion. Critics have accused UNRA of favoritism and procedural anomalies, questioning why a higher bid was accepted over lower, more competitive offers.
Further complicating matters, Arab Contractors reportedly failed to meet several key requirements during the bidding process, including notarized powers of attorney and certified audited financial statements. The bid amount from Arab Contractors also suspiciously matched UNRA’s estimated project cost to the last decimal, leading to allegations of insider influence.
The situation escalated when the best-evaluated bidders filed complaints with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) and other oversight bodies. Despite these protests, no decisive action has been taken, prompting accusations of bias and inaction from the review team.
As legal battles loom over the contract award, this controversy threatens to delay construction on a vital 105-kilometer road project that promises significant benefits to voters in Kyenjojo District. With UNRA’s integrity now under scrutiny, many are calling for reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in Uganda’s public procurement system.