Several top-level officials in the ministry of Education and Sports are embroiled in a fight over the handling of bids for the supply, delivery and installation of vital resources in eight technical institutes around the country.

The multi-billion project, which is financed from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), includes the supply of textbooks, ICT equipment, tractors and workshop equipment at eight technical institutes located in the districts of Yumbe, Pader, Amuria, Kikuube, Nakasongola Kamuii, Namutumba and Lwengo.

The Observer understands the power struggle pits several members of the ministry’s evaluation and contracts committee, who accuse one another of influence-peddling to disqualify some bidders on top of favouring others through corruption.

As a result, some whistleblowers have petitioned the Inspectorate of Government to intervene and investigate the allegations. One of the major concerns highlighted in the petition is the alleged deviation from the predetermined evaluation criteria.

“It appears that the evaluation committee responsible for assessing the bids has shown a clear bias by disregarding established guidelines,” reads part of the petition.

“They selectively emphasized certain aspects that favored specific bidders, casting doubt on the objectivity of the process. Even more alarming is, certain evaluators allegedly received financial incentives from particular bidders, compromising their ability to carry out their duties impartially.”

Much of the controversy centres around lots four to eight, which include the delivery of tractors and workshop equipment.

“There is credible evidence that the evaluation committee is trying to disqualify the best bidders in lots 4-8 to favour Lab X Scientific and Venifar,” reads part of the petition to the inspectorate. “We implore you to investigate the matter as soon as possible to protect the integrity of the evaluation committee.”

BACKGROUND

Early this year, government acquired financing from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) under the Vocational Education (VE) Project Phase II and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this loan to eligible payments under the contracts.

In the notice to all potential bidders, the ministry, through the project manager Miriam Lawino Sembatya, noted that the bidding shall be based on the documents approved by OPEC Fund and shall be conducted in accordance with the OPEC Fund procurement guidelines and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act.

Reached out for a comment, Sembatya denied knowledge of the row but hinted that if indeed there is proof of bribery and influence peddling, the process would be reexamined.

“As far as I know so far, it is a total lie that there is a favoured bidder in the race. The evaluation report is not yet out but some people are complaining about it. There must be someone on the evaluation team that is leaking this information. Maybe they learned that they have not won anything,” she said.

“Whistleblowers are promoting the exercise. They want the bidding exercise canceled so that we start afresh. The rules are clear; those who qualify will win unless there is clear evidence of corruption,” she said.