Ghana’s Jospong Group under investigation in Uganda over ‘dodgy’ landfill deal

Authorities in Uganda have opened investigations into the awarding of a landfill management contract to the Jospong Group of Companies, a Ghanaian firm, following allegations of procurement irregularities, according to local media.

The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya Turwomwe, has since ordered the immediate suspension of all activities at the Kiteezi landfill involving the company.

The contract, which was announced last week, involved the handover of the landfill to Jospong Group, led by Executive Chairman Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong. The company proposed to transform waste into fertilizers and other recyclable materials, promising to manage the landfill at no cost to the Ugandan government.

However, a letter from the IGG, dated 17 October 2024, directed the State Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Kabuye Kyofatogabye, and other key officials, including the Lord Mayor, the Executive Directors of the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), to halt all dealings with Jospong pending the outcome of the investigation.

The IGG’s probe will examine allegations that Jospong Group was handpicked for the contract without following the proper bidding processes outlined in Uganda’s 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 which has been widely published online 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 further read.

State Minister Kabuye Kyofatogabye has however maintained that the government followed all required legal processes in awarding the contract. He assured the public that the authorities will cooperate fully with the IGG’s office throughout the investigation.

“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. Some 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 stated.

The Kiteezi landfill deal, which was initially celebrated as a solution to Uganda’s waste management challenges, now faces scrutiny amid growing concerns over transparency and proper governance.

-DAILY MAIL GH