EAAACA Members Urged To Build Strong Systems To Eliminate Corruption In Procurement

Oct. 29, 2025

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The Secretary to the Inspectorate of Government, Mrs. Rose N. Kafeero, has urged members of the Eastern Africa Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (EAAACA) to build solid anti-corruption systems to eliminate opportunities for fraud in the procurement processes including the use of technology.

“By embracing and strengthening e-procurement systems, we can significantly reduce opportunities for fraud and build stronger anti-corruption systems,” Mrs. Kafeero said.

She made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech during the regional workshop to fast-track the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) implementation in East Africa on Public Procurement and Integrity Systems at Golf Course Hotel, Kampala.

The workshop was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with the objectives of among others strengthening capacities of oversight institutions, law enforcement, and procurement authorities to detect, investigate, and prosecute bribery, kickbacks, and diversion of funds in procurement including through anti-money laundering and inter-agency cooperation.

Mrs. Kafeero noted that strengthening public procurement and integrity systems is not merely an option but an imperative for sustainable development and public welfare which must be embraced by all EAAACA members.

“The integration of anti-money laundering perspectives in our discussions is also vital, as we must be vigilant in addressing the financial flows associated with corrupt practices. We must reflect on the practical measures that can enhance collaboration between procurement agencies and anti-corruption institutions,” she said.

The Regional Platform to fast-track the implementation of UNCAC in Eastern Africa is a UNODC initiative bringing together 10 countries in Eastern Africa namely: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

It is aimed at identifying common gaps in their legal and institutional frameworks addressing bribery and integrity risks, and to define shared solutions and technical assistance needs.

Mr. Francesco Checchi, Team Lead, Africa Anti-Corruption Hub at UNODC, noted that the workshop is expected to among others generate concrete, measurable outcomes that can be tracked within 12 to 24 months.

Additionally, the launch of an inter-agency coordination mechanism in at least two countries between procurement authorities and anti-bribery agencies to address procurement-related flaws.

Reports from the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) estimate that corruption costs African nations about USD 148 billion annually.

The World Bank indicates that 30% of public procurement contracts in developing countries are affected by corruption, and up to 50% of public procurement budgets may be lost to fraud or mismanagement.