KCCA CHAMPIONS SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAINS AT 5TH SUPPLIERS’ CONFERENCE

The Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajat Minsa Kabanda, has warned contractors and suppliers that failure to comply with environmental and sustainability standards will attract firm sanctions, as Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) pushes for greener and more accountable supply chains.

Speaking at the 5th KCCA Suppliers’ Conference held Thursday at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kabanda said government will not tolerate contractors who undermine environmental safeguards.

“The era of cutting corners, ignoring safeguards, or prioritizing profit over public interest is over,” Kabanda said. “Suppliers who fail to comply with environmental and sustainability obligations will be sanctioned. Government will support those who innovate and deliver responsibly but we will act decisively against those who do not.”

This year’s conference focused on the theme “Sustainable Supply Chain Management for Eco-System Conservation,” drawing suppliers, contractors, regulators, and government agencies to discuss how procurement can drive greener development.

The PPDA Act, specifically Section 61A, requires all procuring entities to integrate environmental protection, social inclusion, and innovation into procurement decisions an obligation KCCA says it is fully enforcing.

Kabanda said government expects full compliance: “Development must never degrade the ecosystems that support life in our city. Infrastructure must be designed and built with resilience, environmental protection, and long-term value at the core.”

KCCA Executive Director Hajat Sharifah Buzeki said sustainability must guide every stage of procurement from sourcing raw materials to transport, storage, and final delivery.

“Sustainable supply chain management is now a necessity, not an option,” Buzeki said. “Every decision must protect ecosystems, reduce environmental harm, and improve people’s well-being. These numbers tell a story sustainability is not something we talk about. It is something we are funding, resourcing, and implementing at scale.”

She noted that in the 2024/25 financial year, KCCA managed a budget of UGX 819 billion, with 80 percent (UGX 659 billion) spent through procurement, embedding sustainability standards in every contract. In FY2025/26, KCCA plans to execute UGX 802 billion, or 84 percent of its UGX 952 billion budget, through procurement.

“These investments reflect our commitment to greener systems, safer workplaces, and inclusive economic growth,” Buzeki added.

Buzeki emphasized that sustainable supply chains must empower youth, women, and vulnerable populations by creating jobs, apprenticeships, and safe workspaces.

She also stressed environmental protections, urging suppliers to adopt low-carbon materials, reduce emissions, protect wetlands, and recycle construction waste.

Buzeki urged participants to take the lead in shaping Kampala’s future.

“You are stewards of Kampala’s future,” she told suppliers. “Together, we can re-green our city, restore wetlands, protect ecosystems, and ensure that every contract improves both the environment and people’s lives.”

Head of the KCCA Procurement and Disposal Unit, Doreen Akatuhwera, issued a blunt reminder to manufacturers about their responsibility in protecting the environment.

“Manufacturers, do you feel proud seeing your products floating on our lakes and rivers and blocking our drainage systems?” she asked. “What you produce must be managed responsibly, from the factory to disposal.”

Akatuhwera said the conference aimed to raise awareness about sustainable supply chains, demonstrate KCCA’s progress in ecosystem protection, and strengthen partnerships among suppliers, regulators, and private-sector actors.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer