UN Aims to Increase Business with Ugandan Vendors

By Carolina Lessa C. de Souza, Communications Officer, RSCE

The United Nations Secretariat procured more than USD$33 million worth of products and services from Ugandan vendors in 2022, 1% of the total procurement volume.

After passing through a careful bidding process, Ugandan suppliers were chosen to provide services to 36 UN missions around the world, including peacekeeping operations and political missions. Ugandans are primarily involved in the security, transportation, industrial, and construction sectors. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Procurement Division aims to increase business with vendors from developing countries and womenowned businesses.

For the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives of Uganda, Francis Mwebesa, the country should seize this opportunity to foster the local economy.

“I encourage the business community to seize the available UN business opportunities and increase the volume of trade with the United Nations. This not only creates income for the companies involved but also increases employment opportunities for Ugandans”, said the Minister during the UN Business Seminar, which took place at the Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE) on 3rd May.

“We would like to see an increase in Ugandan contractors doing business with the UN. I am sure, honorable Minister, that your continued support will help grow the strong partnership between the UN and the Ugandan business community”, said Paulin Djomo, Director of the RSCE.

The seminar gathered nearly 70 Ugandan vendors who were advised on business opportunities with the UN, how to register on the United Nations Global Marketplace, and on UN procurement principles and requirements. It was also an opportunity for networking between the Ugandan business community and UN representatives.

“The vendor community must avail of the information provided on the UN Global Marketplace for them to know what has been procured, by each agency and for each country so they can target accordingly”, said Balakrishnan Amirthalingam, Chief of the UN Global Procurement Services Section.

The UN Business Seminar featured presentations from different UN entities and agencies, including GPSS, RSCE, UNDP, UNHCR, WHO, UN Women, and the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and in Abyei (UNISFA).

Those who were unable to attend the physical seminar can view the full presentation on RSCE Facebook, live-streamed to over 400 people.