Over 300 vendors in Uganda have registered to do business with the United Nations globally since the Global Procurement Support Section began conducting business seminars in 2022 – this was revealed during 2024 business seminar. The seminar which took place on 26 November at the United Nations (UN) Campus in Entebbe gathered over 150 vendors with the aim of providing information on available business opportunities and build working relationships among others.

Opening the business seminar, State Minister for Trade in the Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi said the government of Uganda appreciates the engagement because it does not only contribute to creation of employment but also networking, sharing of information and business opportunities available globally.

“This year’s goal should be to see an increase in the number of Uganda vendors partnering with the United Nations. Be competitive, concentrate on standards and compliancy areas so that you can be as competitive as others who are already in the business with the United Nations” said Gen. Mbadi.

In his welcome address, the Director of the Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE) Mr. Paulin Djomo emphasized UN’s commitment in ensuring equal access to UN procurement opportunities.

 “Our mission is to provide access to UN procurement opportunities globally and not just in Uganda or Africa. We are committed to deepening our engagement with businesses in Uganda to drive meaningful progress especially towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development for the people, the planet, peace for strategy and partnership,” said Director for RSCE, Mr. Djomo.

According to the UN procurement statistics in 2023, Uganda's total procurement volume reached $199.60 million, involving 21 UN organizations, which include the UN Secretariat, Agencies, Funds and Programmes. This placed Uganda 32nd in the ranking of supplier countries by UN procurement value.

The procurement volume specifically from Ugandan suppliers to the UN Secretariat alone which includes the RSCE, Small Political Offices and Peacekeeping Missions, amounted to $30.79 million.

Chief of Global Procurement Support Section, Procurement Division Mr. Balakrishnan Amirthalingam urged the business community to be committed to working together with the UN to harness the available business opportunities.

During the seminar, the business community were provided with insular knowledge about UN Secretariat Procurement and the Vendor Registration process – UN Global Marketplace and sensitized on existing scams by individuals claiming to be working for the UN procurement offices.

The top five commodities that UN Secretariat procures are ICT, Air transport, Food and Catering, Fuels, and Building and Construction services.