Business

The procurement of PM Excellence, a little-known UK-based firm, as the Owner’s Engineer (OE) for the €212 million Namanve Industrial Park Project, under the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), has brought to light a series of alarming irregularities.

These actions, supported by the British High Commission (BHC) and approved by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), expose glaring loopholes and raise serious concerns about ethical breaches, potential collusion, and an erosion of public trust in governance.

Background to the Project and Initial Advertised Requirements

On 9th November 2022, UIA advertised a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to identify firms for the critical OE role. The requirements for eligibility were stringent, reflecting the magnitude of the €212 million project. Key criteria included: –

1. Experience: Firms were required to demonstrate experience managing at least two projects of similar nature, each valued above USD 200 million.
2. Financial Capacity: A minimum annual turnover of USD 50 million.

These requirements underscored the necessity for competent, well-established firms with verifiable track records.

How PM Excellence Entered the Picture

On 23rd January 2023, PM Excellence submitted an unsolicited proposal to UIA, expressing interest in the project. This followed a meeting with the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) Africa Representative, Mr. Louis Arinaitwe, who reportedly introduced the opportunity to PM Excellence.

Subsequently, UIA wrote to Mr. Arinaitwe, then the BHC Country Director for International Trade, seeking confirmation that PM Excellence was a credible, professional, and competent firm capable of managing the project.

A Mysterious Omission of Established Firms

Notably, the BHC had, in 2019, submitted a list of eight credible UK firms to the Investment Minister, Hon. Evelyn Anite. These firms—AECOM, ARUP, ATKINS, Mott MacDonald, and others—had extensive experience in multibillion-dollar international projects and adhered to the UK Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC) laws.

Curiously, PM Excellence was not among these firms. What’s more troubling is that these firms were never approached or consulted to confirm their disinterest in the project before PM Excellence was advanced as the preferred candidate.

Direct Procurement Approval and Flawed Due Diligence

Despite these red flags, UIA sought and received PPDA’s approval for direct procurement of PM Excellence on 17th February 2023. However, this approval came with two critical conditions: –

1. Competitiveness: UIA was required to conduct an independent assessment of the contract price to ensure value for money.
2. Due Diligence: UIA was to carry out a comprehensive review of PM Excellence’s capacity, ensuring compliance with the originally advertised requirements.

Shockingly, neither of these conditions appears to have been fulfilled:
• PM Excellence’s Past Work: Documentation submitted revealed previous project service values ranging from USD 15,000 to USD 30,000—minuscule compared to the project’s scale.
• Company Details: PM Excellence’s UK company registration showed a share value of only GBP 100, with just two employees, registered on 7th November 2017. This information was readily available online.

The Joint Venture Maneuver

On 2nd March 2023, PM Excellence entered a joint venture with MBW Consulting Ltd, granting MBW’s Managing Director Special Powers of Attorney to represent them. This effectively handed over PM Excellence’s role to another firm without UIA’s approval and sidestepped the “British content” justification used to secure PM Excellence in the first place.

Exorbitant Costs and Questionable Expertise

The joint venture charged an astronomical monthly fee of USD 500,000—a rate much higher than typical globally renowned engineering firms with proven expertise. Neither PM Excellence nor MBW had mobilized the necessary technical teams or demonstrated the requisite capacity.

Additional Red Flags

1. Unanswered Questions about Reputable Firms: Why were the eight reputable UK firms listed by BHC in 2019 ignored?
2. Fast-tracked Approvals: The rapid pace of procurement raises concerns about undue influence and a lack of proper scrutiny.
3. Previous Consultant’s Termination: The previous consultant, who underwent rigorous selection processes, was abruptly removed. Why?
4. Collusion Indicators: The involvement of Mr. Arinaitwe—both as a BHC official and as the individual introducing PM Excellence—raises questions of conflict of interest.

Whistleblower Revelations

A patriotic insider has exposed these questionable dealings, highlighting the syndication of actors within UIA and BHC to push PM Excellence through. The whistleblower asserts that these actions serve selfish interests, undermining public trust and national development objectives.

Erosion of Public Trust

The case of PM Excellence exemplifies how syndicated procurement can harm national interests. By prioritizing shadowy deals over due process, key actors risk sabotaging Uganda’s ability to attract credible investors for future projects.

The Way Forward: Accountability and Reform

To restore integrity, the government must: –

1. Investigate the Procurement Process: Conduct an indeSyndicated Fraud in Namanve Industrial Park Project: An In-Depth Exposé on the Procurement of PM Excellence
   The procurement of PM Excellence, a little-known UK-based firm, as the Owner’s Engineer (OE) for the €212 million Namanve Industrial Park Project, under the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), has brought to light a series of alarming irregularities. These actions, supported by the British High Commission (BHC) and approved by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), expose glaring loopholes and raise serious concerns about ethical breaches, potential collusion, and an erosion of public trust in governance. Background to the Project and Initial Advertised Requirements
2. On 9th November 2022, UIA advertised a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to identify firms for the critical OE role. The requirements for eligibility were stringent, reflecting the magnitude of the €212 million project. Key criteria included:
3. Experience: Firms were required to demonstrate experience managing at least two projects of similar nature, each valued above USD 200 million.
4. Financial Capacity: A minimum annual turnover of USD 50 million.
   These requirements underscored the necessity for competent, well-established firms with verifiable track records.
   How PM Excellence Entered the Picture
   On 23rd January 2023, PM Excellence submitted an unsolicited proposal to UIA, expressing interest in the project. This followed a meeting with the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) Africa Representative, Mr. Louis Arinaitwe, who reportedly introduced the opportunity to PM Excellence.
   Subsequently, UIA wrote to Mr. Arinaitwe, then the BHC Country Director for International Trade, seeking confirmation that PM Excellence was a credible, professional, and competent firm capable of managing the project.
   A Mysterious Omission of Established Firms
   Notably, the BHC had, in 2019, submitted a list of eight credible UK firms to the Investment Minister, Hon. Evelyn Anite. These firms—AECOM, ARUP, ATKINS, Mott MacDonald, and others—had extensive experience in multibillion-dollar international projects and adhered to the UK Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC) laws.
   Curiously, PM Excellence was not among these firms. What’s more troubling is that these firms were never approached or consulted to confirm their disinterest in the project before PM Excellence was advanced as the preferred candidate.

Direct Procurement Approval and Flawed Due Diligence

Despite these red flags, UIA sought and received PPDA’s approval for direct procurement of PM Excellence on 17th February 2023. However, this approval came with two critical conditions:

1. Competitiveness: UIA was required to conduct an independent assessment of the contract price to ensure value for money.
2. Due Diligence: UIA was to carry out a comprehensive review of PM Excellence’s capacity, ensuring compliance with the originally advertised requirements.
   Shockingly, neither of these conditions appears to have been fulfilled:
   • PM Excellence’s Past Work: Documentation submitted revealed previous project service values ranging from USD 15,000 to USD 30,000—minuscule compared to the project’s scale.
   • Company Details: PM Excellence’s UK company registration showed a share value of only GBP 100, with just two employees, registered on 7th November 2017. This information was readily available online.
   The Joint Venture Maneuver
   On 2nd March 2023, PM Excellence entered a joint venture with MBW Consulting Ltd, granting MBW’s Managing Director Special Powers of Attorney to represent them. This effectively handed over PM Excellence’s role to another firm without UIA’s approval and sidestepped the “British content” justification used to secure PM Excellence in the first place.
   Exorbitant Costs and Questionable Expertise
   The joint venture charged an astronomical monthly fee of USD 500,000—a rate more typical of globally renowned engineering firms with proven expertise. Neither PM Excellence nor MBW had mobilized the necessary technical teams or demonstrated the requisite capacity. Additional Red Flags
3. Unanswered Questions about Reputable Firms: Why were the eight reputable UK firms listed by BHC in 2019 ignored?
4. Fast-tracked Approvals: The rapid pace of procurement raises concerns about undue influence and a lack of proper scrutiny.
5. Previous Consultant’s Termination: The previous consultant, who underwent rigorous selection processes, was abruptly removed. Why?
6. Collusion Indicators: The involvement of Mr. Arinaitwe—both as a BHC official and as the individual introducing PM Excellence—raises questions of conflict of interest.
   Whistleblower Revelations
   A patriotic insider has exposed these questionable dealings, highlighting the syndication of actors within UIA and BHC to push PM Excellence through. The whistleblower asserts that these actions serve selfish interests, undermining public trust and national development objectives.
   Erosion of Public Trust
   The case of PM Excellence exemplifies how syndicated procurement can harm national interests. By prioritizing shadowy deals over due process, key actors risk sabotaging Uganda’s ability to attract credible investors for future projects.
   The Way Forward: Accountability and Reform
   To restore integrity, the government must: –
7. Investigate the Procurement Process: Conduct an independent inquiry into how PM Excellence was selected, focusing on potential collusion and violations of procurement laws.
8. Hold Responsible Parties Accountable: Ensure that those involved in bypassing due process face legal consequences.

Revisit the Contract: Review and potentially terminate the agreement if found to be inconsistent with national interests.

4. Strengthen Procurement Oversight: Tighten regulations to prevent similar incidents in future projects.

Conclusion

The Namanve Industrial Park Project, envisioned as a cornerstone of Uganda’s industrialization agenda, has been tarnished by allegations of fraudulent procurement. This case underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and adherence to ethical practices in public sector management.

1. The evidence attached is damning, and the call for action is clear: this abuse of public trust and processes must stop. The stakes are too high for Uganda to remain silent.

An independent inquiry into how PM Excellence was selected, focusing on potential collusion and violations of procurement laws.

2. Hold Responsible Parties Accountable: Ensure that those involved in bypassing due process face legal consequences.
3. Revisit the Contract: Review and potentially terminate the agreement if found to be inconsistent with national interests.
4. Strengthen Procurement Oversight: Tighten regulations to prevent similar incidents in future projects.

Conclusion

The Namanve Industrial Park Project, envisioned as a cornerstone of Uganda’s industrialization agenda, has been tarnished by allegations of fraudulent procurement. This case underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and adherence to ethical practices in public sector management.

The evidence attached is damning, and the call for action is clear: this abuse of public trust and processes must stop. The stakes are too high for Uganda to remain silent.