KITEEZI GARBAGE: IGG suspends dealings with Ghana-based firm

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya Turwomwe, has ordered the suspension of all activities at Kiteezi landfill involving Jospong Group of Companies, a Ghana-based firm, due to alleged irregularities in the awarding of their contract.

Last week, the government announced the handover of the Kiteezi landfill to a Ghanaian investor, who reportedly plans to address the country’s garbage management by converting waste into fertilizers and other recyclable materials.

The deal was announced by the State Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Kabuye Kyofatogabye, who handed over the site to Dr. Joseph Sian Agyepong, the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies from Ghana.

However, in a letter dated October 17, 2024, the IGG directed key government officials, including the Minister of Kampala, the Lord Mayor, the KCCA Executive Director, the Executive Director of the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), the Executive Director of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), and the Executive Director of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), to suspend all dealings with Jospong Group pending an investigation into their activities in Uganda.

“You are therefore directed to halt all transactions with Jospong Group of Companies who have been engaged to manage the Kiteezi landfill until this office completes investigations or issues further orders on the matter,” the letter stated. The IGG’s letter also indicated that an investigation has been launched to probe the alleged irregularities in the procurement process for the Kiteezi management contract, focusing on how it was awarded to Jospong Group of Companies.

The letter reveals that Jospong was allegedly handpicked, bypassing standard government procurement procedures as outlined in the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act. “The investigations will also look into the allegations that other investors had approached the government with interest in investing in the Kiteezi landfill, but these were ignored or frustrated.

That Jospong was awarded the tender without going through an open bidding process, which would have allowed other competent entities to express interest in partnering with KCCA,” the letter further stated. The IGG’s letter also highlighted concerns regarding the funding of the project.

“Jospong Group of Companies has offered to manage the Kiteezi landfill at no cost to the government. This raises questions since one wonders how the company will recoup returns on their investments,” it read. Other issues to be investigated include the alleged lack of an environmental impact assessment, the absence of a feasibility study for the project, and concerns about whether due diligence was conducted to verify if the company possesses the necessary technology and experience to handle the magnitude of the project.

In response, State Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Kabuye Kyofatogabye, told URN that the process of awarding the Kiteezi management contract adhered to legal requirements. Despite this, Kyofatogabye assured that they would fully cooperate with the IGG’s office and allow the investigation to proceed.

“I received the letter last night, but all that is said is not true, because we followed the processes and procedures required in awarding the said contracts. And some of the other procedures are still ongoing. We’re doing this for the betterment of Uganda, but let’s give them room to conduct the investigations,” Kyofatogabye said.

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