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The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has responded to findings from the Auditor General’s latest audit, which highlighted gaps in the bureau’s procurement processes and asset management. Acting Registrar General Mustapher Ntale appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) to explain the issues and outline corrective measures. Procurement system limitations Ntale said the Electronic Government Procurement (EGP) system currently used by the government does not support the recording of procurement reservations for special interest groups. As a result, URSB has been maintaining separate manual procurement plans. “We have a system challenge with the government procurement system that is not yet upgraded to support the recording of special interest group reservations,” Ntale told the committee. He added that the bureau is working with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to upgrade the EGP platform, which should improve procurement management and reduce disruptions. The audit also noted that only about two percent of URSB’s procurements were conducted outside the electronic platform, a figure the bureau attributes to system challenges. “We maintain records of the transactions and are engaging the responsible ministry to improve the platform’s reliability,” Ntale said. Low bidder participation The Auditor General flagged low bidder participation, including a case where an open bidding process attracted only a single bid despite invitations being issued. Ntale confirmed that the bureau had reviewed the relevant files and will invite more firms to future procurement opportunities to encourage competition and broaden participation. Staffing and training Weaknesses in the procurement function were identified, including staffing gaps, inadequate assessment of training needs and concerns about performance reporting. Ntale reported that four of the five staff members in the Procurement and Disposal Unit have received training, and a new procurement officer has been recruited to address the staffing shortage. Refresher training on the EGP system is also being organised. Asset insurance The audit found that URSB’s non‑current assets, including its vehicle fleet, lacked insurance cover. The bureau attributes this gap to budgetary constraints. Ntale said the cost of insuring the fleet has been assessed and that funding will be sought in the next financial year’s budget. “I will commit that we make provision for comprehensive insurance of our fleet to the extent that the funds will permit. If we still have financial challenges, we will have to capture that as an unfunded priority,” he said. Overall, the bureau has acknowledged the Auditor General’s findings and is taking steps to improve procurement compliance, staff capacity and asset protection. Article source: Nile Post | Image credit: Nile Post
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has responded to findings from the Auditor General’s latest audit, which highlighted gaps in the bureau’s procurement processes and asset management. Acting Registrar General Mustapher Ntale appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) to explain the issues and outline corrective measures. Procurement system limitations Ntale said the Electronic Government Procurement (EGP) system currently used by the government does not support the recording of procurement reservations for special interest groups. As a result, URSB has been maintaining separate manual procurement plans. “We have a system challenge with the government procurement system that is not yet upgraded to support the recording of special interest group reservations,” Ntale told the committee. He added that the bureau is working with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to upgrade the EGP platform, which should improve procurement management and reduce disruptions. The audit also noted that only about two percent of URSB’s procurements were conducted outside the electronic platform, a figure the bureau attributes to system challenges. “We maintain records of the transactions and are engaging the responsible ministry to improve the platform’s reliability,” Ntale said. Low bidder participation The Auditor General flagged low bidder participation, including a case where an open bidding process attracted only a single bid despite invitations being issued. Ntale confirmed that the bureau had reviewed the relevant files and will invite more firms to future procurement opportunities to encourage competition and broaden participation. Staffing and training Weaknesses in the procurement function were identified, including staffing gaps, inadequate assessment of training needs and concerns about performance reporting. Ntale reported that four of the five staff members in the Procurement and Disposal Unit have received training, and a new procurement officer has been recruited to address the staffing shortage. Refresher training on the EGP system is also being organised. Asset insurance The audit found that URSB’s non‑current assets, including its vehicle fleet, lacked insurance cover. The bureau attributes this gap to budgetary constraints. Ntale said the cost of insuring the fleet has been assessed and that funding will be sought in the next financial year’s budget. “I will commit that we make provision for comprehensive insurance of our fleet to the extent that the funds will permit. If we still have financial challenges, we will have to capture that as an unfunded priority,” he said. Overall, the bureau has acknowledged the Auditor General’s findings and is taking steps to improve procurement compliance, staff capacity and asset protection.
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