In the 2024 2nd Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI) Report, of the selected Uganda’s infrastructure procuring entities in the evaluation process, there has been an increase in the performance score representing progress in the promotion of infrastructure transparency in all the dimensions used during the process.
Over 58 projects from 30 procurement and disposal entities that participated in the 2nd Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI) and evaluated, the best Uganda's transparent entities in the 2024 report that were recognized as the best included central government ministries, Departments and Agencies, and local government on the other hand.
“Uganda’s national ITI score increased from 20.8% in 2021 to 32.26% in the 2nd index indicating progress in promoting infrastructure transparency. Improvements were observed across all dimensions.” Partly reads the report.
The STI was developed by CoST Uganda an infrastructure transparency initiative with technical support from the CoST International Secretariat and financial backing from the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) among other partners.
According to Eng. Stephen Kitonsa from the Ministry of Works in an interview said that the report has been commissioned for use by the public and procuring entities by the Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala who he said recognized and commended the best public procuring entities based on their transparency level in the different dimensions including; enabling environment, citizen participation, capacities, processes and information discloser.
He underscored the importance of infrastructure transparency disclosers which he said enhances accountability while committing continued support and cooperation to champion the cause of CoST Uganda.
“Infrastructure transparency discloser is important, given the level of investment there is a need for promotion and maintenance of high-quality infrastructure. The Infrastructure Transparency Index report provides an independent mechanism to enhance quality assurance and transparency in infrastructure projects” he said
The CoST Uganda Manager, Eng Odong Geofrey in a phone interview said that in projects where there is minimal discloser of project information to the public, there have been challenges of mismanagement, he called on entities to utilize the available discloser platforms for citizens to access information and participate in the implementation of the infrastructure projects.
Among the best three central government winners included Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) with 80.26%), Ministry of Work and Transport at 60.66%, and the Office of the President at 55.23%, while on the side of the best Local Government entities, the best three winners are Mpigi District Local Government with (42.29%) followed by Jinja at 40.97% and Kabale with 40.27%.
Among the most improved procuring entities according to the report is National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) scoring from 20.38% in 2021 to 48.86 in 2024 indicating a remarkable improvement of +28.48% points attributing it to targeted interventions or internal reforms in transparency.
The key recommendations in the report include: bridging the implementation gap, full implementation of a lifecycle transparency framework, improving capacity building and knowledge sharing, and enhanced oversight and accountability among others.
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