UHI secured financing from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) to build a new facility in Naguru Avenue, Kampala. In May 2024, UHI initiated an international competitive bidding process to select a contractor for the project. Of the 12 bids received, Arab Contractors emerged as the best-evaluated bidder at $45.4 million.
Two Chinese entities; China National Aero Technology International Engineering Corporation in a joint venture with China Xingxing Construction & Development Co. Ltd, and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation challenged the contract award in the PPDA Appeals Tribunal. They argued that UHI’s evaluation committee erred in awarding the contract to Arab Contractors.
However, the tribunal, chaired by lawyer Francis Gimara, dismissed both challenges. The tribunal ruled that UHI was right in disqualifying both Chinese entities for failing to meet the mandatory criteria outlined in the bidding notice.
“The bid of The Joint Venture Between China National Aero Technology International Engineering Corporation and China Xingxing Construction & Development Co. Ltd was non-responsive to the requirements for a power of attorney; the declaration form; and experience by the proposed site engineers. The bid was rightfully disqualified…The bid of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation was non-responsive to the requirements for specific construction and contract management experience. The bid was rightfully disqualified,” the tribunal noted in its decision.
Similarly, the bid from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation was rejected for not meeting the requirements for specific construction and contract management experience. The tribunal observed that the company failed to demonstrate experience in handling a project valued at least $40 million, a key requirement in the bidding process.
The tribunal ultimately lifted the suspension on the bidding process, paving the way for UHI to finalize awarding the contract to Arab Contractors. This decision allows the construction and equipping of the Uganda Heart Institute to proceed as planned.
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