ROGUE DEFENCE SUPPLIERS CRACKDOWN! PPDA Speaks Out On CDF Muhoozi's Order To Blacklist Maybach…Denies Foul Play, Says File Already Cleared By MAC, Awaits July 9 Board Verdict

The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) has finally broken its silence over the controversial Maybach [Motors] Ltd file, dismissing claims that it has deliberately delayed action against the prominent government vehicle supplier at the centre of the Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s ongoing crackdown on defence rogue contractors.

In a detailed statement sent to Red Pepper, PPDA insists the recommendation by Defence Ministry to suspend Maybach has already gone through the Authority’s technical processes and now awaits a final decision by the PPDA Board of Directors, which is scheduled to meet next Thursday, July 9, 2026.

The response follows Red Pepper’s recent reports into the widening anti-corruption campaign spearheaded by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, which revealed that the Defence Ministry had moved against a number of contractors accused of breaching contracts, supplying substandard equipment, delivering counterfeit goods and, in some cases, receiving payment without fully delivering supplies.

The crackdown has seen several military officers arrested, transferred, redeployed or sidelined, while a number of civilian contractors are also said to be under investigation.

Sources say Gen. Muhoozi subsequently directed MODVA to compile a database of contractors accused of breaching contracts or failing to meet contractual obligations so that appropriate action could be taken.

Under Uganda’s procurement laws, however, the Ministry of Defence cannot independently blacklist suppliers.

Only PPDA has the statutory mandate to suspend or debar providers from government business after investigations and due process.

It was against this background that the Defence Ministry wrote to PPDA to have several firms blacklisted and one of them is Maybach.

Maybach Motors Ltd, located along Ggaba Road in Kansanga and linked to businessman Wilson Kanyankole, is one of Uganda’s biggest suppliers of brand-new government vehicles. Kanyankole used to be a business partner with businessman Desh Kananura before moving on to start Maybach.

Maybach also sometime back faced police investigation involving an alleged stolen UK-sourced BMW X6 later sold to one Job Katuramu, which later sparked a high-profile inquiry into how the car was brought into Uganda.

Established more than two decades ago, Maybach describes itself as a one-stop automobile mall serving government ministries, departments and agencies, alongside private customers.

Its clientele includes the Judiciary, Uganda Police Force, the Ministry of Defence and several other government institutions.

The company says it imports and supplies vehicles from leading global brands including Toyota, Land Rover, BMW, Jaguar, MG and specialised customised vehicles, ambulances and minibuses. It also operates a fully-fledged after-sales workshop and supplies motor vehicle spare parts and accessories.

PPDA SPEAKS OUT

In a statement sent to Red Pepper, the procurement watchdog says the Maybach file has already gone through the required technical processes and now awaits only one final hurdle—the decision of the PPDA Board of Directors scheduled to meet next Thursday July 9, 2026.

The Authority denies ignoring or shelving the defence ministry’s recommendation against Maybach.

According to PPDA, there is only one recommendation from MODVA currently before the Authority—the proposed suspension of Maybach Ltd.

To demonstrate that the matter has been progressing, PPDA released a detailed chronology of the case.

According to the Authority, MODVA first submitted its recommendation to suspend Maybach Ltd on October 20, 2025.

However, the supporting procurement file and accompanying documents were only received nearly five months later, on March 11, 2026.

Maybach then exercised its legal right to respond, filing its written defence on March 24, 2026.

MODVA subsequently filed its rejoinder dated March 31, which PPDA received on April 1, 2026.

Following consideration of all submissions, the Authority says its Management Advisory Committee (MAC) concluded deliberations and forwarded its recommendation to the Board of Directors.

The final decision now rests with the Board, which PPDA says is expected to consider the matter during its next scheduled sitting on July 9.

‘WE CANNOT BLACKLIST PEOPLE OVERNIGHT’

PPDA insists that suspending government contractors is not an administrative shortcut but a legally prescribed process under Section 128 of the PPDA Act, Cap. 205.

The Authority says complaints are normally initiated by Accounting Officers before PPDA formally notifies the accused provider and gives it an opportunity to defend itself.

At the same time, PPDA requires the Procuring and Disposing Entity to submit the complete procurement file together with all supporting documents.

Only after analysing all evidence does the Authority convene a formal hearing at its headquarters.

The hearing is chaired by Executive Director currently Benson Turamye and attended by Heads of Department sitting as the Management Advisory Committee.

MAC then considers the evidence before recommending whether the complaint should be dismissed, whether a caution should be issued or whether the provider should be suspended for a specified period or indefinitely where serious misconduct is established.

PPDA says every stage takes time because complainants sometimes delay submitting procurement records, providers require adequate time to prepare their defence and the Authority itself must thoroughly evaluate all available evidence.

It warns that bypassing due process would expose Government to expensive litigation and possible compensation claims.

The Authority further explains that even after MAC completes its work, it has no power to suspend a contractor.

That responsibility lies solely with the PPDA Board of Directors.

According to PPDA, Board meetings are held according to an annual calendar approved at the beginning of every year and cannot simply be convened whenever a complaint arises.

34 FIRMS, NOT THREE

The Authority says by the time Red Pepper published its story, it had already suspended 34 providers, all of whom are publicly listed on its official register.

The three companies announced on June 23 were simply the latest additions.

Those companies are:

Okavango Logistics Limited, suspended for one year after substantially failing to perform a Uganda Railways Corporation contract involving rehabilitation of two passenger coaches at Nalukolongo Workshop.
Dita Limited, suspended for three years after PPDA found it had substantially failed to execute works awarded by Otuke District Local Government.
Uptown Incorporation Limited, suspended for two years after allegedly submitting unauthentic supplier/distributor authorisation documents during a Uganda Revenue Authority procurement process.

PPDA directed all government accounting officers not to allow the companies to participate in fresh procurement proceedings during their suspension periods.

The sanctions also extend to successor entities and businesses substantially linked to the suspended providers.

According to PPDA, no individual officer can unilaterally frustrate Board processes because MAC meetings are chaired by the Executive Director, recommendations are formally documented and only the Board has authority to make the final decision.

For now, all eyes are on July 9, when the PPDA Board is expected to determine the fate of Maybach Ltd—a decision likely to be closely watched by both procurement regulators and Gen. Muhoozi’s anti-corruption campaign.

Reasons that prompted the Defence Ministry to go after Maybach and have it blacklisted will be in our subsequent publication.

RedPepper also understands that Maybach is being investigated over the controversial procurement of 21 Toyota Prado vehicles for the Uganda Police Force.

Red Pepper continues to independently verify those allegations and will publish further findings once corroborated.

Watch this space!