Ankole leaders want PPDA Act translated into Runyankole

Ankole leaders want PPDA Act translated into Runyankole

Mbarara, Uganda | URN | Leaders and civil societies in Ankole want the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act (PPDA) translated in Runyakitara.

The proposal came up during a procurement Baraza organized by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority at Mbarara University of Science and Technology on Friday 22nd, November 2019.

The leaders noted that the absence of a translated PPDA Act leaves residents in the dark since most of them cannot easily read and understand English language.

Mbarara District LC V Chairperson, Rt. Captain Tumusiime Bamuturaki, says the failure by residents to understand the act makes it hard for them to question the procedures and hold duty bearers accountable.

Polly Muyambi, a resident of Mbarara says that the law must be translated if it is to be effective.

He says that it is a legal requirement for the laws to be translated into local languages so that ordinary Ugandans can easily read and understand them and be able to question those in authority.

Timothy Bahebwa, the Rubindi Sub county LC III Chairperson, says local leaders are not trained enough to read the laws unless they are translated.

He says once no deliberate efforts are taken, local leaders will remain like spectators in the procurement process.

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Xavier Kyoma, a member of the PPDA Board, says the request by the participants is valid but says it has got budgetary implications.

Moses Ojambo, the Director in charge of Capacity Building and advisory Services at PPDA, says similar Barazas have been conducted in Fortportal, Gulu, Jinja and Moroto with the aim of increasing the interaction between residents and their leaders in a bid to improve transparency.

The Baraza attracted civil servants, politicians, civil society members and service providers among others.